Cristiano Ronaldo, the 40-year-old Portugal captain, has declared he will not retire from football until he achieves the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals. The legendary forward scored twice in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 victory over Al Akhdoud on Saturday, bringing his career total for club and country to 956 goals.

Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr on a free transfer in 2022 and extended his contract in July 2025 with a two-year deal, keeping him at the club beyond his 42nd birthday. Speaking after receiving the Best Middle East Player award at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, Ronaldo emphasized his passion and motivation for the game.

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Ronaldo’s Ambitions and Motivation

“It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated,” Ronaldo said. “My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going. You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number [1,000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries.”

Ronaldo’s drive remains undiminished, despite having already scored 13 goals in 14 appearances this season for Al-Nassr, who sit four points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League. Although the striker has netted 112 goals in 125 appearances since joining, the club has only secured one trophy—the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.

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Ronaldo’s Historic Achievements

Cristiano Ronaldo holds numerous records, including:

• Most goals for Portugal: 143
• Most goals for Real Madrid: 450
• Only player to score 100+ goals for four clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr

Ronaldo’s international career includes captaining Portugal to their first men’s international trophy at Euro 2016. He has also announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be his final international tournament.

Despite his age, Ronaldo continues to impress fans and pundits alike with his athleticism, scoring prowess, and dedication to the sport. His focus on reaching 1,000 career goals underscores his relentless ambition and cements his legacy as one of football’s all-time greats.