Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo is inching closer to the magical milestone of 1,000 career goals, aiming to become the first player in history to do so. Currently on 955 goals, the 40-year-old needs 45
more to enter four figures and, despite being in the twilight of his career, the Portuguese continues to find the back of the net regularly both for his club and national team.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the next big tournament of his career where he will be driven to guide them to their maiden title. However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner isn’t worried about the looming milestone if his Portugal coach Roberto Martinez is to be believed.
“He’s (Ronaldo) at a very good point in his career,” Martinez was quoted as saying by Goal.com. “And he’s achieved it because he lives in the moment. When he talks about his goals, he avoids long-term thinking: reaching 1,000 games, playing a certain number of matches… His secret is being the best he can be today and enjoying each day. So, the number will be a consequence of the day he decides to retire. I don’t think it’s a goal.”
Martinez also defended Ronaldo’s significance to the Portuguese national side, pointing out his infectious desire to be the best in the world.
Questions were raised on Ronaldo’s place in the squad after he was sent off in a 1-2 defeat to the Republic of Ireland earlier this year and in the next match that he missed as a result, Portugal thrashed Armenia 9-1.
“There are three pillars that we constantly analyse: talent, experience, and the attitude he (Ronaldo) can bring to the Selecao. That maximum demand he places on himself to be present and help is what allows the captain of the national team to always be on the roster. That hunger to be the best is contagious. 25 goals in 30 games playing as a striker shows that what he does on the field contributes a lot to the national team,” he said.
