Cristiano Ronaldo, synonymous with football excellence, has etched his name in the annals of history as one of the greatest goal-scorers ever. Ronaldo has consistently defied expectations and shattered records throughout his illustrious career with his unmatched skill, determination, and unwavering drive.

With one of his most recent goals at 39, coming for Portugal in the Nations League against Croatia, Cristiano Ronaldo clocked 900 goals in his professional career. His first goal came when he was just 17 years old in October 2002, and today, he is just one of the best goal-scorers in the game’s history.

Let’s delve into the remarkable journey that has led Cristiano Ronaldo to achieve the extraordinary feat of scoring over 900 goals for club and country.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Early Career and Goal-Scoring Beginnings

It’ll interest you to know that Ronaldo went 27 games without scoring (16 for Sporting, 9 for United, and 2 for Portugal) between his last goal for Sporting in December 2002 and his first goal for Manchester United in November 2003. This was by far the greatest scoring drought of his career (the next longest is 15 matches).

From his humble beginnings to his status as a global icon, Ronaldo’s story is a testament to hard work, dedication, and the pursuit of greatness.

Born in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo’s passion for football was evident from a young age. He honed his skills at local clubs and eventually joined the youth academy of Sporting CP at just 18 years old. Ronaldo later made his senior debut for Sporting and quickly showcased his goal-scoring prowess. His performances caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson, who brought him to Manchester United in 2003.

Manchester United Era: A Goal-Scoring Phenomenon

Ronaldo’s time at Manchester United marked the beginning of his ascent to global stardom. Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, he developed into a complete forward capable of scoring goals from all areas of the pitch. His pace, agility, and ability to create chances for himself and his teammates made him a nightmare for defenders.

His goal-scoring exploits at Manchester United were nothing short of extraordinary. He consistently broke records and won numerous individual and team honours. His most memorable moments include his stunning volley against Porto in the 2008 Champions League quarterfinals and his hat-trick against Arsenal in the Premier League.

In his first term with Manchester United, which concluded in 2009, Ronaldo scored 118 goals. In his second stint, which ran from September 2021 to November 2022, he bagged another 27 goals.

Real Madrid: A New Chapter of Goal-Scoring Dominance

In 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo made a historic transfer to Real Madrid for a world-record fee. The move marked a new chapter in his career, and he quickly established himself as a fan favourite at the Santiago Bernabéu.

At Real Madrid, Ronaldo continued to defy expectations and set new standards for goal-scoring. He dominated La Liga, breaking numerous records and leading Real Madrid to multiple league titles. His performances in the Champions League were particularly impressive, as he guided the club to four titles and became the competition’s all-time top scorer.

While at Real Madrid, Ronaldo netted 450 goals in 438 games, clinching a 1.00 goals-per-game average for the team, thus becoming Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer and surpassing Spanish and Los Blancos legend Raul’s mark of 323 in October 2015.

Juventus: A New Challenge and Continued Goal-Scoring Success

2018 saw Ronaldo embark on a new adventure by joining the Italian giant Juventus. Despite being in his mid-late 30s, he showed no signs of slowing down and continued to produce exceptional performances. Ronaldo’s goal-scoring contributions helped Juventus secure multiple Serie A titles and reach the latter stages of the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the fastest player to reach 100 goals in Serie A. During the 2020/21 season, the Portuguese star netted 100 goals in just 131 games for Juventus and also became the first Juventus player to ever do so in less than three seasons.

International Career: Portugal’s Goal-Scoring Hero

Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact on the international stage has been equally impressive. He is the all-time leading goal scorer in men’s international football, with an outrageous record of up to 132 international goals over his 214 national-team games with Portugal.

Ronaldo debuted for Portugal in 2003 and quickly became the team’s talisman. He has led Portugal to numerous significant tournaments, including the UEFA Euro 2016 final, where he captained his country to victory and won the Golden Boot award.

Ronaldo has consistently delivered crucial goals in important matches, cementing his status as a national hero. His goal-scoring record for Portugal is remarkable, making him the country’s all-time top scorer.

Reaching the 900 Goal Milestone

The scoring of 900 goals for club and country is a testament to Cristiano Ronaldo’s extraordinary talent and longevity. Few players have ever reached this milestone, which solidifies his place among the greatest footballers of all time.

Ronaldo scored 440 goals in his twenties and 437 goals in his thirties, and with five months remaining in his 39th year of birth, the five-time UEFA Champions League winner will be extremely confident of surpassing the total he reached between ages 20 and 29.

As a professional footballer, Ronaldo has scored 151 headers, 574 goals with his right foot, 173 with his left, 1 with his right thigh, and 1 with his left elbow. These are his goals broken down by his body components, and he would still have scored 326 goals if goals scored with his stronger right foot were removed from the equation. This is just 19 goals less than Diego Maradona’s career total of 345 goals and four more than Robin van Persie’s. Also, with 164 penalties out of 194 attempts, the legend scored 18.2% of his goals from the penalty spot.

In addition, he has 131 long-range goals. 63 of his 64 career free kicks have come from around the penalty box; however, one was indirect.

Throughout his career, Ronaldo has also scored 66 hat-tricks. His first came when he was 22 years old and playing on the flank for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. His most recent came at 39 years old, playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Ten of them have been “perfect” hat-tricks, meaning he scored with his head, left, and right foot.

Only twice in La Liga in 2015 has he scored five goals in a single game. Ronaldo scored all five goals from inside the box in the second of those matches against Espanyol.

He holds the record for scoring in the European Cup/Champions League, European Championship, European Championship qualification, UEFA World Cup qualifying, and Club World Cup.

Ronaldo has netted 23 goals in finals, four of which have been in the Champions League. The only Real Madrid greats who have scored more in finals throughout the competition’s history (during the time it was known as the European Cup) are Ferenc Puskas, who scored seven goals, and Alfredo Di Stefano.

Out of the 23 goals scored in the finals, Manchester United scored three, Real Madrid scored fifteen, Juventus scored two, and Al Nassr scored three. He never participated in a Sporting final and was unsuccessful in scoring for Portugal in the 2019 Nations League final, the Euro 2004 final, or the Euro 2016 final.

The historic goal that marked this achievement came in Portugal’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League tie win against Croatia in Lisbon.

The moment was celebrated by fans and teammates alike as they recognized the significance of this incredible feat.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy and impact on football is undeniable. He has inspired countless young players worldwide, demonstrating that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and talent. His goal-scoring records and achievements will be remembered for generations to come.

His career is a testament to his exceptional talent, unwavering dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His ability to consistently score goals at the highest level has made him an icon in the world of football. This journey to 900 goals and beyond is a testament to his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and commitment to excellence. From his early days at Sporting CP to his dominance at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, Ronaldo has consistently defied expectations and set new standards for goal-scoring.

His impact on football is immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. As he enters the twilight of his career, Cristiano Ronaldo’s name will forever be etched in the history books as one of the greatest goal-scorers ever.

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