Unstoppable ambition: Ronaldo sets his sights on the millennium goal mark
Portuguese football legend and Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that his passion for the beautiful game remains strong, setting his sights on achieving an unprecedented milestone in the modern era by reaching 1000 career goals. This came after an exceptional night for the "Madeira Rocket" in Dubai.
Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned the best player in the Middle East for 2025 at the prestigious Globe Soccer Awards ceremony held in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday evening. Ronaldo secured the award, beating out strong contenders from the Saudi Professional League, including Frenchman Karim Benzema, Al-Hilal star Salem Al-Dawsari, and Algerian Riyad Mahrez.
"God willing" is the key to success
In his remarks after receiving the award, Ronaldo displayed great determination and faith, saying, "My passion is immense, and I want to continue playing and enjoying football. I will reach the 1,000-goal mark, God willing, if no injuries hinder my progress." This statement reflects the player's professional mindset, linking achievement to hard work, divine will, and maintaining physical fitness.
The dream is approaching and record numbers are coming
The Al-Nassr captain, who recently turned 40, boasts an astonishing 956 goals in his professional career with clubs and the national team. He recently extended this record by scoring twice against Al-Akhdoud last Saturday in the eleventh round of the Saudi Professional League, bringing him within just 44 goals of his dream.
Ronaldo's impact on Saudi and global football
Ronaldo's ambitions cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of football's development in Saudi Arabia. Since joining Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has significantly boosted the competitiveness and global viewership of the Roshan League. His presence has not only paved the way for other international stars to come to the region but has also raised the physical and technical standards of local players.
The pursuit of 1000 goals is a truly global sporting event; in the officially documented history of football, reaching this milestone is an extremely rare achievement that places its holder among the immortal legends. While some debate the records of past legends like Pelé and Romário, Ronaldo's documented goal tally in the modern era makes him the leading candidate to be the first player to reach this number with accurate and indisputable official statistics.
Continuity at age forty
What's impressive about Cristiano's career isn't just the numbers, but his ability to maintain the highest level even at the age of 40. Ronaldo relies on a strict diet and training regimen that has allowed him to defy the laws of athletic biology, making the dream of 1000 goals a tangible reality, not just a wish, provided he maintains his physical fitness and avoids significant injuries, as he mentioned in his interview.
