From a promising youngster to the first man to score 900 career goals, Ronaldo continues to set records and inspire fans worldwide
It finally happened! Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player in football history to reach 900 career goals. Ronaldo scored his historic goal with a tap-in volley in a UEFA Nations League encounter against Croatia, helping Portugal win 2-1. Ronaldo's celebration as the ball crossed the line was loaded with genuine emotion—arms stretched wide, rushing to the corner, then sinking to his knees with his hands on his face. You could sense how much this moment meant to him.
CRISTIANO RONALDO REACHES 900 CAREER GOALS FOR CLUB AND COUNTRY 🤯🔥
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) September 5, 2024
JUST LOOK AT WHAT IT MEANS TO HIM ♥️
pic.twitter.com/Dl08Pf9w3C
However, this was more than one goal; it was about the 899 that came before it. Let's briefly look at how Ronaldo got to 900, milestone after milestone.
Ronaldo's route to his first 100 goals was a combination of brilliance, hard work, and sheer dedication. His early career was fast-paced, beginning with Sporting CP before joining Manchester United in 2003. On October 7, 2002, he scored his first professional goal against Moreirense. He was just getting started, young and brave, with flashes of genius.
By January 2008, Ronaldo had scored his 100th goal, which came against Tottenham Hotspur. He was quickly drawing attention with his brilliant footwork and keen attacking abilities. It was becoming evident that this flesh was more than simply good; he would be something unique.
Ronaldo's goal scoring increased dramatically after joining Real Madrid in 2009. He scored his 200th career goal against Valencia in December 2010, a little over two years after scoring 100. That was only the beginning of what was to come.
Ronaldo had 300 goals by May 2012, and his historic score was against Granada. If you blinked, you could have missed it—he scored goals quicker than anybody could keep track.
The 400th goal was scored in January 2014 against Celta. Ronaldo had morphed into a goal-scoring machine, terrorising both defenders and goalkeepers. His remarkable consistency, particularly at Madrid, was unprecedented in sport.
In September 2015, Ronaldo surpassed 500 goals. He achieved it in typical style, scoring against Malmo. This achievement elevated him to the ranks of the elite, but he wasn't content with that. His ambition was always to succeed. Just two years later, in 2017, he scored his 600th goal in a dramatic Champions League final match against Juventus. This event was a celebration of Ronaldo's unrivalled on-field prowess.
In October 2019, Ronaldo scored his 700th career goal against Ukraine. At this point, it appeared that there was no stopping.
Then came December 3, 2021, when Ronaldo reached the unthinkable: 800 career goals. The world watched in wonder as he surpassed this milestone during a game against Arsenal. The figures didn't just add up; they represented the tale of a player who always pushed the boundaries of what was possible.
Ronaldo was already looking ahead to the next milestone. The gap between 800 and 900 felt unavoidable. Ronaldo always remained a goal-scoring danger while playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and representing Portugal at the international level. And here we are, 900 goals later. Whether you love him or not, there is no disputing the legacy he has established.
Now, if you believe Ronaldo's story finishes at 900, think again. The 39-year-old has already set his eyes on 1,000 professional goals. It may appear unrealistic, but if there's one thing we've learnt about Cristiano, it's never underestimate him. If anyone can accomplish it, it's Ronaldo.
