Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name further into football history on Thursday, reaching a monumental milestone.
The Portuguese superstar scored his 900th career goal during a Nations League match against Croatia.
The 39-year-old’s strike, which put Portugal 2-0 ahead, sparked an emotional celebration. Dropping to his knees by the corner flag, Ronaldo was visibly moved by the achievement.
This marked his 131st international goal, adding to his impressive tally across clubs like Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr.
Reflecting on the milestone, Ronaldo expressed his gratitude and the immense effort behind it. “It was emotional because it’s a milestone,” he said. “Only I know, and the people around me, how hard it is to work every day, to be physically and psychologically fit, to score 900 goals.”
A Career Spanning Decades
Ronaldo’s longevity in the sport is remarkable. If someone was born when he scored his first competitive goal, they would now be 21 years old.
He made his competitive debut for Sporting Lisbon in October 2002, aged 17.
Since then, Ronaldo has played for some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
His most prolific period came at Real Madrid, where he scored an astonishing 450 goals in just nine years.
Even in his late 30s, Ronaldo continues to defy expectations. Nearly half of his career goals have come since he turned 30.
His move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr has added to his impressive tally.
