Cristiano Ronaldo: A Quarter-Century of Scoring Excellence

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently chasing a milestone that remains officially unreached in the history of professional football. While legendary figures such as Pelé and Romário have long claimed to have surpassed the 1,000-goal mark, those figures famously include strikes from unofficial friendlies and exhibition matches. In the rigorous world of competitive, professional football, the four-figure summit remains the sport's final, unconquered peak.

As of early 2026, the Portuguese icon is edging ever closer to this historic achievement. With a career spanning over two decades, Ronaldo has amassed an incredible 958 goals in 1,300 appearances, maintaining a staggering average of 0.74 goals per match. Should he reach the 1,000-goal threshold, his legacy will transcend football, placing him in a pantheon of sporting excellence occupied by only a handful of athletes across all disciplines.

Twenty-Five Years of Consistency

Ronaldo’s journey began in 2002 with Sporting CP, and remarkably, he has found the net in every single calendar year for 25 consecutive years. Since his breakout season, his productivity has been nothing short of relentless. After scoring only a single goal in 2003, his annual tally has never again dropped into single digits—a testament to his unparalleled longevity and physical conditioning.

The following table highlights the remarkable evolution of his scoring prowess throughout his career:

A Record-Breaking International Legacy

Beyond his club exploits with Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr, Ronaldo stands alone as the greatest goalscorer in the history of international football. Representing Portugal, he has earned 225 caps and netted 143 goals, leading his nation to glory in Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League.

Now 40 years of age, Ronaldo shows few signs of slowing down in the Saudi Pro League. His pursuit of the 1,000th goal is no longer just a statistical curiosity; it is a race against time and a final statement of his status as the most prolific finisher the game has ever seen.