With his 900th goal in a career spanning more than 20 years, Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo once again etched his name into the annals of football history. He scored for a 900th time during Portugal's UEFA Nations League match against Croatia, where they won 2-1. It was a classic first-time finish off a cross by Nuno Mendes by the 39-year-old.
A legendary journey
Cristiano Ronaldo's 900-goal feat is evidence of his exceptional commitment, talent, and consistency. Ronaldo signed a contract with Sporting FC at the age of 17. He scored two goals in a 3-0 victory over Moreirense FC on October 7, 2002.
In 2003, Ronaldo's move to Manchester United was the real game-changer. He played 293 games for the Red Devils and scored 118 goals under the great Sir Alex Ferguson. The world took notice of his flair, speed, and ability to find the back of the net.
Ronaldo eventually started looking for Real Madrid in 2009. For a reported world record fee of 94 million euros, he moved to the Spanish powerhouses. His nine years with them were genuinely life-changing. In just 438 games, he scored an astounding 450 goals, making him the club's all-time top scorer. He was considered to be in his “prime” and fans even nicknamed him “The Machine”.
Later in 2018, Italy waved and Ronaldo replied. His move to Juventus saw him score an additional 101 goals over a three-year spell with the Turin-based club. Serie A fans cheered at his agility and hunger for goals.
The prodigal son returned to Old Trafford in 2021, but the fairy tale didn’t quite unfold as expected. Despite scoring 27 goals in 54 games, the team faced challenges during his second stint with United.
In 2023, Ronaldo shocked the football world by making the move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr. Undeterred by age, The Portuguese captain continued to find the net, amassing 68 goals and counting.
An emotional milestone
After scoring the historic goal, Ronaldo dropped to his knees in an emotional celebration by the corner flag. “It was a milestone I wanted to reach for a long time,” Ronaldo said. "I knew I would reach this number because as I continue to play, it would happen naturally. It’s a unique milestone in my career".
The achievement has sparked a wave of admiration and celebration from fans around the world. Ricardo Moreira, shared his thoughts: “I’ve seen Ronaldo’s career since his early days at Sporting FC. To see him reach 900 goals is incredible. “As a Sporting fan I wish he comes back here to retire” added Ricardo.
Another fan, Joao Diego, a junior team football coach and Ronaldo fan from Lisbon, expressed his joy: “Ronaldo has always been an inspiration. His passion and focus are unmatched. 900 goals are just another testament to his greatness. He truly is a legend.”
The road ahead
Despite reaching this monumental milestone, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. In a recent interview, he expressed his desire to reach 1,000 career goals. "If I don’t have any injuries, I want to reach 1,000 goals. For me, the best mark that I can have in football is to reach, first, 900 goals. After, my challenge is to be at 1,000 goals". Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Ronaldo’s goal-scoring journey is that almost half of his goals (437) were scored after he turned 30 in February 2015. His dedication, work ethic, and hunger for success defied all the limitations of a regular player.
Not only is Cristiano Ronaldo's 900th goal a personal triumph, but it also gives football fans worldwide a reason to celebrate. Even when he was crucified for his poor performances last season and for the national team, Ronaldo kept fighting. The world looks on in wonder as he keeps pushing the envelope of what is impossible, excitedly awaiting the next chapter in his incredible career.
