No retirement until 1000 goals! Cristiano Ronaldo sets sights on making the impossible possible
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in Al Nassr's most recent fixture and took his tally for club and country to 956 goals.
There are not many records or feats that have not been broken or achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo. The proverb, age is just a number comes true every time Ronaldo steps onto the pitch.
Most footballers struggle to keep up with the intensity of the game after turning 35. With stamina and fitness issues hampering their performances, their recovery process slows down, and eventually, they are left with no other choice but to quit the game.
But Ronaldo is not just any footballer. In fact, he is not just any human. It seems the rate of human ageing doesn't apply to the iconic athlete.
The 40-year-old football icon netted twice in his recent outing in a professional match, netting a brace in Al-Nassr's 3-0 win against Al Akhdoud on Saturday. The two goals took his tally for club and country to 956 goals, and he is not willing to slow down.
He still looks in his prime. Be it his performances, his fitness, or his stamina, Ronaldo is capable of giving a 25-year-old a run for his money.
Despite ruling the world of football for close to two decades, Ronaldo remains motivated to continue until he scores his 1000th career goal.
The prolific forward, who joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in 2022, inked a new two-year deal with the Middle Eastern club last July that takes him beyond his 42nd birthday.
Ronaldo to keep going until Mount 1k is scaled
Speaking after being crowned the Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday, Ronaldo admitted: "It's hard to continue playing, but I am motivated.
"My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn't matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.
"You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number [1,000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries."
Ronaldo has netted 13 goals in 14 appearances this season for top-of-the-table side Al-Nassr.
His stunning record of 112 goals in 125 appearances hasn't translated into success at the club level. During his time in the Saudi League, Al-Nassr have only won one trophy - the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
Ronaldo is the proud record-holder for most goals for Portugal (143) and Real Madrid (450). He is also the only player to have scored 100+ goals for four clubs - Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr.
The Portuguese footballer recently admitted that the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be his last international tournament.