By G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff
G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation
Cristiano Ronaldo made football history by becoming the first male player to score 900 career goals during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Croatia. The 39-year-old superstar tapped in his 900th goal in the 34th minute, securing a 2-1 victory for Portugal. This remarkable achievement marks Ronaldo's 131st goal for his country, further solidifying his status as the top international goal scorer. With 769 club goals from his illustrious career, including his tenure with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr, Ronaldo continues to push boundaries in world football.
Ronaldo's journey began at Sporting CP before his move to Manchester United in 2003. He accumulated 450 goals in 438 games during his nine-year stint at Real Madrid. He returned to Manchester United in 2021, later joining Al Nassr in 2023. With five Ballon d'Or titles and five Champions League trophies, Ronaldo remains a dominant figure in football, holding the all-time record for most Champions League goals with 141.
Following the match, Ronaldo expressed his pride in reaching the milestone, noting the emotional significance of the accomplishment. "It was a milestone I wanted to reach for a long time," he said. "It's a unique milestone in my career, and only I know how hard it is to stay physically and mentally fit to achieve this."
Ronaldo’s long-time rival, Lionel Messi, trails with 842 goals, while the legendary Pelé holds third place with 765 goals. However, Ronaldo has his sights set on reaching 1,000 goals, telling his former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand that he hopes to reach the next milestone if he stays healthy and injury-free.
This latest feat adds to Ronaldo’s decorated career, and his relentless pursuit of excellence continues to inspire football fans around the world.
