Ronaldo faces race against time to hit 1000 goals as retirement revelation made

Robin Bairner

26 Jan 2026 07:27 GMT
4 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo has targeted scoring 1000 goals before he hangs up his boots, but the former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus striker now faces a race against time to complete the achievement.

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Ronaldo has been a prolific marksman throughout a career that has seen him become a legendary figure at some of the biggest clubs in the world.

He has scored at least 15 league goals in each of the last 20 seasons while he has found the net on 960 occasions for club and country, leaving him 40 more to get to hit his target.

Current ETV

Cristiano Ronaldo

F (C)

Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo

F (C)

Al-Nassr

ETV Range

€9.4M - €11.5M

Time running out for Cristiano Ronaldo

If Ronaldo is to score 1000 goals in his career, he will have to be quick. According to TalkSport, there is a strong chance that he could retire when his contract with Al-Nassr expires in 2027, giving him 18 months to hit the mark.

This has prompted the Saudi Pro League to begin plans to sign as many as 50 players in the summer, including the likes of Mohamed Salah and Vinicius Junior, as it prepares for its transition into the post-Ronaldo era.

TalkSport claims it is “likely” that Ronaldo will leave Al-Nassr in 2027, with the Portuguese “potentially” quitting the game at that point. Saudi want him to take a further step into ownership by increasing the stake he already has in Al-Nassr.

© IMAGO - Cristiano Ronaldo: Hopes to sign off a glittering career by hitting 1000 goals

Ronaldo winning the race to 1000 goals

Ronaldo remains on course to complete his personal challenge and become the first professional to ever score 1000 goals.

He continues to score at a rate of approximately a goal per game with Al-Nassr and, thanks to his outstanding physical condition, is still playing more than 40 games per season.

This means that he likely has around 60 matches to play for the Pro League club in the next 18 months, comfortably giving him enough time to net 40 goals, assuming he keeps going at his current rate. And Ronaldo will also have Portugal matches to supplement these games, suggesting he will comfortably reach his target.

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