Ronaldo Targets 1000 Goals Before Retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo has set his sights on scoring 1000 career goals before retirement despite pressure from his family members to hang up his boots.

The 40-year-old is 54 goals short of the figure, and he will be hoping to move closer when Portugal take on Ireland, and Hungary in the World Cup qualifiers this week.

The Al-Nassr forward said he is still hungry for more goals despite calls from his family to retire.

Ronaldo said: “People, especially my family, say: ‘It’s time for you to stop. You’ve done everything. Why do you want to score a thousand goals? But I don’t think so. I think I’m still producing good things, I’m helping my club and the national team, and why not keep going?

“I’m sure that when I finish, I’ll be fulfilled, because I gave it my all. I know I don’t have many more years, but the few I have, I try to enjoy to the fullest.”

Ronaldo was delighted to receive the Prestigious award at the Portugal Football Globes on Tuesday.

He said: “It’s not an end-of-career award,” he said. “I see it as recognition of years of effort, dedication, and ambition. I like winning, helping the younger generations-and they also help me maintain my level and continue competing. That’s what excites me: competing with the younger ones. I still have a passion for this.”

Ronaldo became the joint-top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying history when he scored his 39th goal in a 3-2 victory over Hungary in September.

He is hoping to lead his country to the World Cup while also targeting the trophy in 2026.

Ronaldo said: “I often say to you that if I could, I would only play football for the national team, I wouldn’t play for any other club because it is the culmination and the peak of a football player. It’s an honor for me to play for the national team.”

“I’m sure the next games will go well and that we will qualify for the World Cup. Obviously, our goal is to go to the World Cup and win, but we have to take everything step by step.”

Ronaldo has scored five goals in six appearances in all competitions for Al Nassr this season, and is the highest scorer in men’s international football with 141 goals in 223 appearances for Portugal.