Ronaldo won’t stop until he hits 1,000 goals and the end is nowhere in sight

According to BBC Sport, Ronaldo has made it clear that he has no intention of ending his playing career until he reaches the extraordinary mark of 1,000 career goals.

A milestone that keeps him going

Cristiano Ronaldo’s career continues to be driven by numbers few players ever approach. After scoring twice in Al Nassr’s 3,0 win over Al Akhdoud on Saturday, his total for club and country now stands at 956 goals.

The forward has said he will not step away from the game until that figure reaches four digits, a target that has reshaped how he views the final years of his career.

Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday, where he was named Best Middle East Player, Ronaldo acknowledged the physical challenge of continuing at his age but stressed that his motivation remains intact. He said it is difficult to keep playing, yet his passion for football is still high and independent of where he competes.

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Motivation over location

Ronaldo explained that the setting of his career matters less than the act of playing itself. Whether in Europe or the Middle East, he has said the enjoyment of competition is what keeps him moving forward.

He added that his focus is not only on personal records but also on winning trophies, while making clear that the 1,000 goal mark is a defining objective. He has expressed confidence that he will reach it, provided injuries do not intervene.

Contract security and club reality

Ronaldo’s commitment is reflected in his contract. He signed a two year extension with Al Nassr last July, keeping him at the Saudi club beyond his 42nd birthday. Since joining in 2022, he has remained central to the team’s ambitions.

This season, he has scored 13 goals in 14 appearances, helping Al Nassr move four points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League table. Despite his output, the club has lifted only one trophy during his time there, the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.

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Conflicting signals about retirement

The renewed determination contrasts with comments Ronaldo made in an interview with Piers Morgan last month, when he suggested retirement could come soon. Reflecting on that idea, he admitted he expects the moment to be emotional and difficult when it eventually arrives.

For now, however, his performances suggest that moment is still some distance away.

Records that frame the finish line

Ronaldo already holds several scoring records that define the modern game. He is Portugal’s all time leading scorer with 143 goals and Real Madrid’s top marksman with 450. He is also the only player to score more than 100 goals for four different clubs.

He has indicated that the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be his final international tournament. Ronaldo previously captained Portugal to their first major men’s title at Euro 2016, a victory that remains a landmark in the nation’s football history.

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Sources: BBC Sport

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