With age telling on him and his retirement day imminent even as he will clock 40 years by February 5, 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed fear he might not reach the 1000th career goal mark.
Though he stated his determination to reaching the milestone feat of scoring 1000 goals as a footballer, he regretted that time is running out on him.
Ronaldo, who will turn 40 years-old on Feb. 5, 2025. He is the top scorer in the history of football with 908 goals. A feat that attracted to him the Quinas de Platina trophy. The highest award given by Portugal’s Football Federation (FPF) to football players.
Speaking on reaching the 1000th goal mark, he said, “I now face my life living in the moment. I can’t think long term anymore.”
“I can no longer think about what I said publicly that I wanted to reach 1,000 goals. But it seems that everything is easy now, just last month I reached 900. It’s about living in the moment. Enjoying the moment and seeing the response that my legs will give me in the next few years. One thousand goals is great. But if it doesn’t come, I’m already the player in history with the most goals.”
Recall that Ronaldo’s contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr expires in June 2025.
The Portuguese international, has not given an indication on whether he will continue playing through the 2026 World Cup.
Renaldo has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or five times. He has played a record sixth European Championship with Portugal in the summer.
As a player, he has scored 133 goals across 216 appearances for Portugal since making his debut with the national team in 2003. He also won the Euro 2016 with the Portugal national team.
Reminiscing his debut with the Portugal national team, Ronaldo said, “When I joined to the national team at 18 years old, my dream was to get my first international cap.”
“Then I reached 25, then I reached 50. That is a milestone that all players see as something important. Then I said to myself ‘why not 100?’ Then you start to think why not 150? 200? For me it’s a great feeling.
“Even after winning so many trophies, there’s nothing better than playing for the national team. This goes by quickly. That’s why I’m disappointed with some players who don’t want to represent Portugal,” Ronaldo said.
source: Leadership
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