Ronaldo Sets 1,000-Goal Target Before Retirement as Career Continues Into His 40s

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again redefined the limits of longevity in elite football, declaring that retirement will only come once he reaches the unprecedented milestone of 1,000 career goals. The Portugal captain, now 40, remains driven by ambition and consistency as he continues to deliver at the highest level in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr in 2022 and recently extended his stay with a two-year contract that keeps him playing beyond his 42nd birthday. His latest statement followed a commanding 3–0 victory over Al Akhdoud, in which he scored twice to lift his combined club-and-country total to 956 goals.

Speaking in Dubai after being crowned Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo was emphatic about his motivation. He stressed that his passion for football remains undiminished, regardless of geography, and that his focus is firmly fixed on trophies and the historic four-figure goal tally—provided injuries do not intervene.

Statistically, his output continues to defy age. This season alone, Ronaldo has registered 13 goals in 14 appearances, helping Al-Nassr establish a four-point lead at the summit of the Saudi Pro League. While team silverware has been limited—highlighted by the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023—his individual influence remains decisive.

Across a storied career, Ronaldo has amassed record-breaking numbers: 143 goals for Portugal national football team, 450 for Real Madrid, and over 100 goals each for Manchester United, Juventus, and Al-Nassr—an achievement unmatched in modern football.

On the international stage, Ronaldo has already confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will mark his final appearance for Portugal, bringing the curtain down on a global career that included lifting Euro 2016, the nation’s first major men’s title.

As the countdown to 1,000 goals continues, Ronaldo’s journey stands as a testament to relentless ambition, physical discipline, and an enduring hunger that refuses to fade with time.

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