Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest icons in world football, continues to make history with his impressive goal-scoring ability. At 40 years old, the Portuguese star has not only broken records but has redefined what it means to be a scorer in the sport. Since his debut, Ronaldo has been an unstoppable force, and his journey is a testament to ambition and dedication.
The Madeiran has become the all-time leading scorer in men’s football, a feat recognized by FIFA after he scored a hat-trick in March 2022 while playing for Manchester United. Since then, Ronaldo has not looked back, continuing to extend his lead as the greatest goal scorer of all time, now shining in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr. The Portuguese forward has also maintained his scoring prowess while representing the national team, reaching the impressive milestone of 900 goals between club and international matches in September 2024.
Recently, Ronaldo celebrated entering his 40s with a memorable goal, two days after his birthday, as he aims for the extraordinary target of 1,000 goals. “I am committed to continuing to compete at the highest level,” said Ronaldo, who does not hide his desire to extend his career.
The statistics speak for themselves. Since turning 30, Ronaldo has scored 85 international goals, surpassing legends like Neymar, Harry Kane, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. His effectiveness on the field has led many to consider him the greatest of all time, or the ‘GOAT’ of football. However, the question of the numbers continues to spark debate. FIFA does not maintain an official list of goals scored by individual players, but other organizations, such as Goal.com, have attempted to compile data.
Ronaldo has surpassed the previous record holder, Josef Bican, who allegedly scored 805 goals between 1931 and 1955. However, there are controversies surrounding Bican’s exact number, with the Czech Football Federation contesting that the true total is 821. The lack of accurate records in football prior to the 20th century makes any comparison difficult.
Two names that frequently arise in discussions about the greatest goal scorers are Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, both with numbers that are not related to amateur football, unlike some of Pelé’s goals. The Brazilian claims to have scored over 1,000 goals, but many of his totals include exhibition matches. The confusion surrounding Pelé’s numbers is amplified by different entities, such as the Guinness Book of World Records, which lists him as the record holder with 1,279 goals, also including exhibitions.
Ronaldo, for his part, has a clear tally of goals in official matches, with nearly half of his goals scored for Real Madrid — 450, followed by 145 at Manchester United, 133 for the Portugal national team, 101 for Juventus, and 101 for Al Nassr. In the 2022/23 season, even after joining midway through the season in Saudi Arabia, he finished among the league’s top scorers, and in the following season, he set a new record of 35 goals in the Saudi Pro League.
While the debate over who holds the true title of the greatest goalscorer in history continues, one thing is certain: Cristiano Ronaldo has not only earned the respect and admiration of millions but has also established a legacy that will be discussed for generations. What does the future hold for this master of goals?
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