By Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in football history, has set his sights on an unprecedented 1,000 career goals. In a candid interview with former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, the 39-year-old Portuguese star discussed his ambitious target, life in Saudi Arabia, and the pressures of being one of the world’s most scrutinized athletes.
Ronaldo, currently playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, stands just one goal shy of 900 for club and country. “I want to reach 1,000 goals,” Ronaldo declared, estimating he could achieve this milestone by age 41. “For me, the best mark that I can have in football is to reach, first, 900 goals. After, my challenge is to be at 1,000 goals.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was quick to differentiate his goal-scoring achievements from those of past legends like Pele and Alfredo Di Stefano. “All the goals I have scored, they have video,” Ronaldo emphasized, highlighting the verifiability of his records in the modern era. “They all have video. Listen, I respect all of them [Pele and Di Stefano]. And if you want more goals, I can bring them from training, too.”
Addressing his move to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo dismissed concerns about adapting to a new league and culture. “No country is perfect, so for me the adaptation was easy and I really love to be there,” he stated. “In my opinion, the league is very, very good.” His comments come amid ongoing debates about the quality and competitiveness of the Saudi Pro League, which has attracted several high-profile players in recent years.
The interview also touched on a recent moment of vulnerability that drew criticism from some quarters. Ronaldo addressed the tears he shed after missing a crucial penalty against Slovenia in a Euro 2024 qualifier, which Portugal ultimately won in a shootout. “When you have passion for what you’re doing, you cannot be worried about how you’re feeling,” he explained. “I failed because I’ve made pressure for myself since I was 11 years old. ‘Cristiano, you are the best player in the world,’ I’m always thinking in that way.”
Ronaldo’s emotional response, he argues, stems from the immense expectations he’s placed on himself throughout his career. “But when I missed the penalty, I felt bad with myself, the fans, family, not because of other stuff that people say,” he added, acknowledging the scrutiny that comes with being “the most followed guy in the world.”
Despite approaching 40, an age when many footballers have long since retired, Ronaldo remains uncertain about when he’ll finally hang up his boots. “I don’t know when I’m going to finish,” he admitted. “Since you play more, you learn many, many things. One thing that I’ve learned is, enjoy the moment. Because you don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
The Portuguese star’s longevity and continued high-level performance have defied conventional wisdom about athletic decline. Ronaldo attributes this to his dedication and self-awareness. “I know I’m still looking good. The day that I start to feel I don’t produce nothing, listen, I’ll pack my bags and I’ll go away. But it’s far from that,” he asserted.
As Ronaldo chases his 900th goal and sets his sights on the unprecedented 1,000-goal mark, his interview offers insight into the mindset of one of football’s greatest ever players. His ambition, coupled with his acknowledgment of the pressures and scrutiny he faces, paints a picture of an athlete still driven to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport.
Whether Ronaldo can achieve his lofty goal remains to be seen, but his determination and continued high-level performance suggest that football fans around the world will be watching his pursuit of history for some time to come.
