Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 40th birthday on Wednesday, continuing to defy expectations and extend his illustrious career. The Portugal captain reached an astonishing 923 career goals after scoring twice in Al Nassr’s 4-0 victory over Al Wasl in Monday’s AFC Champions League match, securing his 700th club career win.
Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and in his own words, he believes he has little competition for that title.
“I honestly haven’t seen anyone better than me,” the Al Nassr forward told El Chiringuito TV. “I believe I am the most complete player that has ever existed. I do everything in football.”
A Legacy of Unmatched Achievements
Since beginning his professional career at Sporting CP in 2002 before moving to Manchester United a year later, Ronaldo has amassed 33 senior titles. He has won five UEFA Champions League titles, four of which came during his nine-year tenure at Real Madrid.
“I’m so competitive that I often forget what I’ve already achieved. It motivates me to keep pushing and improving every year,” Ronaldo said. “That’s what sets me apart from others. Someone else in my position might have retired 10 years ago, but my passion keeps me going. I’m different.”
With five Ballon d’Ors and two FIFA The Best awards to his name, Ronaldo insists he still has more to offer.
“I could retire now without regrets,” he stated. “But it would be a shame because I still feel great, I still make a difference. I can continue making an impact for another year or two.”
The Quest for 1,000 Goals
As speculation grows over whether he will reach the 1,000-goal milestone, Ronaldo remains unfazed.
“It would be great, but if it doesn’t happen, I’m already the highest goal scorer in history,” he said. “Scoring goals is the best feeling in the world and the hardest thing to do in football.”
Beyond his club success, Ronaldo led Portugal to victory in the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019. He remains the all-time leading goal scorer in men’s international football with 135 goals and holds the world record for most international appearances at 217.
His longevity is further highlighted by his participation in six European Championships, where he is the competition’s record goal scorer with 14 goals.
A Global Icon
Ronaldo’s influence extends far beyond the pitch. With more than one billion followers across social media platforms, he remains the most-followed athlete in the world—boasting 648 million followers on Instagram, 170 million on Facebook, and 114.6 million on X (formerly Twitter).
“People look up to Cristiano as an example, not just in football, but in life,” he said.
The Mentality of a Champion
Al Nassr coach Stefano Pioli praised Ronaldo’s relentless drive and dedication.
“What Cristiano has done in football, what he is doing, and what he will do will go down in history,” Pioli said. “He takes care of his body, his preparation, and his game in an obsessive manner, as if he were 20 years old and still had everything to prove. He is a champion with an incredible mentality.”
Ronaldo continues to dominate the Saudi Pro League, where he set a new league record by scoring 35 goals in his first full season with Al Nassr. His performances earned him the Best Middle East Player award at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards.
As he enters his fifth decade, Ronaldo remains determined to push boundaries and cement his legacy as one of football’s greatest players.
