The Portugal forward says reaching 1,000 career goals would be a remarkable achievement, but insists he is focused on the present.
Our Web Desk Published 12.10.26, 06:42 PM
Cristiano Ronaldo File
Cristiano Ronaldo believes he is the greatest footballer in history and says his goalscoring record does not receive enough credit, according to an interview cited by The Athletic on Monday.
“People are not valuing the form I am in, my goals,” Ronaldo told CNN.
The Al Nassr forward has scored 980 goals in 1,337 professional matches for club and country.
Asked whether he was chasing the 1,000-goal milestone, he said: “Things have to happen naturally.
“If I scored 920 goals, 925, 930 … the best in history is me, full stop. The numbers speak for themselves. If I get there (to 1,000 goals), it is amazing, an objective, but I don’t think long-term.”
When quizzed about his future, the 41-year-old said: “I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. Maybe I wake up demotivated and don’t want to play anymore, I just don’t know.”
Ronaldo had previously said he would “probably” retire at the end of the club season next June.
His international future is also under scrutiny after the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) provisionally suspended him over his departure from the national team camp.
Ronaldo left ahead of Portugal’s Nations League match against Denmark after a dispute with head coach Jorge Jesus.
“Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, following a decision by the Non-Professional Section on October 9, 2026,” the federation said.
Thereafter, he issued an apology to his teammates and supporters and saidthat he would accept any punishment.
Ronaldo has represented Portugal since 2003 and holds the men’s international scoring record with 146 goals.
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