Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has declared that he will not bring his illustrious playing career to an end until he reaches the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals, reaffirming his enduring passion for the game at the age of 40.
Ronaldo took his overall tally for club and country to 956 goals after scoring twice in Al-Nassr’s 3–0 victory over Al Akhdoud on Saturday in the Saudi Pro League. The latest brace further underlines his continued influence and goal-scoring prowess despite advancing age.
Speaking in Dubai on Sunday after being named Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo said his motivation to keep playing remains strong.
“It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated,” Ronaldo said. “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.”
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star added that reaching 1,000 goals remains a clear personal target.
“You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number — 1,000 goals. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries,” he said.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2022 and signed a new two-year contract last July, extending his stay at the Saudi Arabian club beyond his 42nd birthday. This season, he has already scored 13 goals in 14 appearances, helping Al-Nassr open up a four-point lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.
Despite his prolific scoring record — 112 goals in 125 appearances for the club — Al-Nassr have lifted just one trophy since his arrival, winning the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
Last month, Ronaldo told broadcaster Piers Morgan that his retirement is approaching, admitting the emotional weight of the decision.
“I think I will be prepared. It will be tough, of course. I will probably cry,” he said.
On the international stage, Ronaldo remains Portugal’s all-time leading scorer with 143 goals, and also holds Real Madrid’s goal record with 450 goals. He is the only player in football history to score 100 or more goals for four different clubs — Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has also confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be his final international tournament. Ronaldo famously captained Portugal to their first major international title at Euro 2016 in France, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players the game has ever known.
