Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has stated he will not retire from professional football until he scores his 1,000th career goal, a target he confidently vowed to reach barring injury.
The 40-year-old icon moved closer to that unprecedented landmark by scoring twice in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 victory over Al Akhdoud on Saturday, raising his combined tally for club and country to 956 official goals.
Ronaldo’s pursuit defies conventional career timelines. Having joined Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in 2022, he solidified his commitment last July by signing a new two-year contract that will extend his career beyond his 42nd birthday.
“My passion is high and I want to continue,” Ronaldo affirmed. “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.”
He directly addressed the looming milestone: “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.”
The forward’s unwavering confidence contrasts with a moment of reflective vulnerability last month. In an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo acknowledged that retirement, though difficult to accept, is approaching.
“I think I will be prepared. It will be tough, of course. I will probably cry,” he admitted.
Yet, just days after that conversation, Ronaldo’s competitive fire was unmistakable. After receiving the Best Middle East Player award at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday, he conceded the difficulty of his journey while reaffirming his drive: “It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated.”
With 44 goals left to reach 1,000, Ronaldo’s mission sets the stage for a dramatic final chapter.
