Cristiano Ronaldo recently became the first player to ever hit 100 goals for four different clubs.
Now he’s chasing football’s most outrageous milestone: 1000 career goals.
Here’s why he’ll get there.
The Journey So Far
Ronaldo’s first professional goal came in October 2002, quickly followed up by his second in the same game. It was a sign of things to come.
Over two decades later, the goals are still coming. What sets Cristiano apart is his goalscoring consistency regardless of teammate, manager, tactics or occasion. Having found the back of the net 801 times in club football and 138 times for Portugal, Ronaldo is well-positioned to hit the goalscoring millennium.
Saudi Surge
Since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, Ronaldo has bagged 100 goals in 113 games. Whilst a major trophy has so-far eluded him in Saudi, his goalscoring is showing no signs of slowing down. In the 2024/25 season, the Portuguese forward netted 35 times in 41 appearances.
A new contract signed in June will keep him in the Saudi Pro League until 2027. With a supporting cast of Sadio Mané, Kingsley Coman, Otávio and João Félix, Ronaldo will receive the service he needs to keep scoring.
2026 World Cup
Even at 40, he’s still Portugal’s main man.
8 goals in 9 matches during the 2025 Nations League prove he isn’t just hanging around for the sake of it.
The 2026 World Cup looks nailed on to be his swansong on the biggest stage. Messi was finally able to secure glory in 2022 and Ronaldo is not one to let his Argentinian rival get one over him.
Portugal are preparing for life after Ronaldo, but no one else offers his consistency in front of goal.
Barring injury, he’ll be in the squad.
When Will He Hit 1,000?
Ronaldo is currently 61 goals off the target.
For All-Nassr, he is averaging 0.88 goals a game. For Portugal, he is averaging slightly less but still finding the net in the majority of games he plays.
If the footballing gods were writing the script, Ronaldo’s record goal would come as the winner in the World Cup final. Unless he hits a prolonged goalscoring purple patch similar to his 2014/15 peak, the tournament is likely to come around too soon to play host to Ronaldo’s 1000th goal. If all goes to plan, Ronaldo will hit the milestone towards the tailend of the 2026/27 season.
The Pelé Comparison
Pelé is often credited with scoring over 1,000 goals, but many of those came in friendlies and exhibition games. FIFA’s own calculations put Pelé on 767 official goals.
Ronaldo’s tally is different. His 900+ goals have come across league, cup, international and continental competitions for club and country. There will be no debate when Ronaldo reaches the fabled mark.
Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t done.
Not in Saudi, not for Portugal and certainly not in front of goal.
He’s chasing 1000 and unless injury intervenes, he’ll get there. No ifs, not buts.
Ronaldo will stand alone as football’s ultimate goalscorer.
