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Analysis
- 27 Dec 2025
Ronaldo wants to reach one incredible career milestone before retiring
Martin Macdonald
- 29 Dec 2025 06:30 CST
- 8 min read
Nieuws
Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested he won't stop playing football until he reaches the career milestone of 1,000 career goals scored.
The Portuguese superstar is currently 40 years old and will be 41 by the time of the next World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico comes around next summer.
In his club career he has played for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and current club Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo scored twice in Al-Nassr's 3-0 win against Al Akhdoud on Saturday to take his tally for club and country to 956 goals.
CR7 was named Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai and upon receiving the award he said: "It's hard to continue playing, but I am motivated.
"My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn't matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.
"You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number [1,000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries."
He has enjoyed and continues to enjoy a distinguished career that includes multiple league and cup wins as well as five Champions League titles and a European Championships victory with Portugal.
On a personal level, he has won five Ballon d'Or trophies, is the top goalscorer in the history of international football and the Champions League, while he is the only player ever to score at least 100 goals for four different clubs.
No footballer has made more senior appearances or scored more goals than Ronaldo.
Ronaldo to retire 'soon'?
Ronaldo is in the twilight of his career and will turn 41 in February even though he does plan to play at the 2026 World Cup at that age.
The time to hang up his boots is coming.
When asked in an interview with Piers Morgan what age he thinks he will retire, Ronaldo responded:
"Soon, but I think I will be prepared.
"It will be tough, it will be difficult. Probably I will cry. Yes. I’m an easy guy to cry, I don’t keep my feelings [inside]. I’m honest.
"I’m an open person.
"It will be very, very difficult. But, Piers, I prepared my future since I was 25, 26, 27.
"So, I think I will be capable to support that pressure."
Football is all Ronaldo has known since a young age and everyone knows how serious he takes competition as well as his own physical conditioning. His entire life for the past 20 years has been focused on him becoming one of the greatest players in history.
And, he doesn't think there's anything that can fill the void of playing football after retiring.
When asked the question by Morgan, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star replied:
"Nothing. Nothing, I think.
"The adrenaline that we have for football, to score a goal, will be gone.
"But, everything has a beginning and an end. So, I think I will be prepared.
"But, I have other passions, I’m going to have more time for me. I’m going to have more time for my family, to raise my kids.
"I want to be more of a family person, more present."
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