Cristiano Ronaldo: A Legendary Journey to 900 Career Goals

Introduction

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born in 1985 in Madeira, Portugal, is regarded as one of the greatest footballers ever. A fivet ime Ballon d’Or winner and captain of the Portugal national team, he made history as the first men's player to score 900 goals in competitive matches across club and country. He currently plays for Saudi club Al Nassr and is eyeing even bigger milestones.

1. Early Life and Beginnings

Born in Madeira:

• Born on February 5, 1985 in Funchal, Madeira, Ronaldo was the youngest of four. His parents were working classhi s father José Dinis Aveiro struggled with alcohol, while his mother Maria worked multiple jobs to support the family.

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Rising Talent:

• From a young age, Ronaldo was obsessed with football. His godfather once said he would sneak out with a ball instead of doing homework.

• He began at local club Nacional and moved to Sporting CP in 2001, where he made his senior debut and showed his scoring ability early on.

2. Career Timeline

Sporting CP:

• Ronaldo had limited appearances but shone enough to catch the eye of Manchester United.

Manchester United (2003–2009):

• Signed at age 16 in a record deal, he debuted in 2003 and quickly became a star. He scored in the 2004 FA Cup final and by 2008 set a club record with 42 goals in one season, earning FIFA World Player of the Year.

• Won three Premier League titles and numerous individual honors.

Real Madrid (2009–2018):

• Joined Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-world record €131 million. He went on to score 450 goals, win four Champions Leagues, and collect more Ballon d’Ors.

Juventus (2018–2021):

• Transferred to Juventus for around $140m, continued his goal-scoring streak, winning two Serie A titles and being named league MVP.

Return to Manchester United (2021–2022):

• Returned in 2021 but left in late 2022 after a public dispute and mutual contract termination.

Al-Nassr (2023–present):

• Signed a landmark deal with Al-Nassr in December 2022, reportedly €200 million per year. Made debut in January 2023, and quickly rose as scoring leader in Saudi Pro League.

• In 2023 24 he scored 35 league goals, setting a new single season record in Saudi Arabia, and finished as top scorer for the second time in a row in 2024 25.

3. International Career with Portugal

Euro 2016 Victory:

• As captain, Ronaldo inspired Portugal to their first ever European Championship in 2016, despite being injured early in the final.

World Cups and Beyond:

• Represented Portugal at multiple World Cups; he scored a hat trick against Spain in 2018 and set the record for scoring in five different World Cups.

900th Goal Miletone:

• On September 5, 2024, Ronaldo scored his 900th official career goal during Portugal’s 2 1 UEFA Nations League win over Croatia, becoming the first men's footballer ever to reach that mark.

4. Milestone of 900 Goals

How It Happened:

• The landmark goal came from a close-range volley off Nuno Mendes’ cross in Lisbon. The moment brought tears and emotion to Ronaldo’s face.

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Breakdown of the Goals:

• Of the 900 goals:

o 769 at club level: Real Madrid (450), Manchester United (145), Juventus (101), Al Nassr (68), Sporting CP (5)

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o 131 international goals for Portugal the most in men's football history.

• Among all-time official records, Ronaldo leads ahead of Messi and Pelé.

Statistics at a Glance:

• Played about 1,236 games, averaging 0.73 goals per game, including 66 hat-tricks, 64 free-kick goals, 164 penalties scored.

• 441 goals scored in his 30s one more than in his 20s.

5. Off the Pitch: Personal Life & Legacy

Family Life:

• In a long-term relationship with Georgina Rodriguez since 2016, they have four children together. Ronaldo also has an older son, Cristiano Jr., from a previous relationship.

Tragedy and Drive:

• His father passed away in 2005; his mother battled health issues. Ronaldo has often spoken about how these hardships fueled his determination.

Net Worth & Business Ventures:

• Estimated worth is around $800 million by early 2025. He was Forbes’ top-paid athlete of 2025, earning roughly $275 million largely due to his Al Nassr contract and commercial deals.

• Invested in ventures like the UFL video game and supplement brand Bioniq.

Legal Matters:

• A sexual assault investigation in Las Vegas in 2018 was reviewed and dismissed.

6. Records and Ambitions

Unmatched Records:

• Holds many all time records: most international goals (131), goals across five World Cups, and over 800 club goals.

Aiming for 1,000:

• Ronaldo has stated he wants to reach 1,000 career goals, possibly by age 41. He says every single one of his 900+ goals has video evidence a point he prides himself on.

Peer Recognition:

• Former teammate Roy Keane praised his ability, calling Ronaldo still the best finisher in the world despite his age.

Conclusion

Cristiano Ronaldo’s rise from a poor neighborhood in Madeira to global superstardom is one of football’s greatest stories. His landmark of 900 competitive goals, achieved in September 2024, cemented his place as the first man’s footballer to reach that total. From early days at Sporting, iconic years at Manchester United and Real Madrid, success in Italy, to his Saudi chapter at Al Nassr Ronaldo has delivered consistently, breaking records and redefining longevity.