1,000 Goals and the World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo's "Fire" of Motivation at the Age of 40

Cristiano Ronaldo will celebrate his 40th birthday on Wednesday (February 5, 2025). In his last match in his 30s, the player nicknamed "CR7" scored two goals to help Al-Nassr defeat Al Wasl, 4-0, in the group stage of the Elite Asian Champions League, on Tuesday (February 4, 2025) WIB, at Al Awwal Park Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The fourth brace collection during the 2024-2025 season once again proved that Ronaldo has not run out of energy to play at the highest level. His penalty execution was still accurate and difficult for the goalkeeper to block in the 44th minute, then his "Air Cristiano" style, aka his very distinctive high jump, resulted in Al-Nassr's third goal in the 78th minute.

"Scoring against Al Wasl was a special gift for Ronaldo on his birthday," Al-Nassr coach Stefano Pioli was quoted as saying by Aawsat.

Ronaldo also helped Al-Nassr secure a top-three position in the group stage of the western zone of the 2024-2025 Asian Elite Champions League. Al-Nassr has already secured a spot in the round of 16 of the continental competition. If they remain in third place, Al-Nassr will host the sixth position of the western zone, which is currently occupied by Al Rayyan, a team from Qatar, in the round of 16.

Due to being eight points behind two rivals in the Saudi Pro League, namely Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, Ronaldo is determined to deliver the first Champions League title for Al-Nassr. Pioli also supports the ambition of his star player and main source of goals.

To become the champion of Asia, Al-Nassr will rely on Ronaldo's goals. From five Champions League games this season, Ronaldo has scored six goals. This number of goals is equivalent to his goal tally in the Asian inter-club competition last season.

"I would be happy if we could win the Elite Champions League. For that, we must defeat the best teams, including fellow Saudi teams," said Pioli.

In addition to Al-Nassr, the other two Saudi representatives are Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli. The Saudi trio has also secured their place in the knockout stage as occupants of the top three positions in the western zone group stage.

Ronaldo ended his career at the age of 39 by scoring 50 goals. Over the past year, he was still able to play in 57 matches with Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team. This means Ronaldo scored a goal every 99 minutes.

In the two years at the end of his thirties, Ronaldo was again able to score more than 50 goals in a calendar year. During 2023, the player from Madeira Island produced 53 goals in 56 appearances.

Previously, Ronaldo was able to score more than 50 goals in a year for eight consecutive years. He always produced that fantastic goal record from the age of 25 to 32.

I am the best scorer, the most complete (forward). Am I the best in history? I think so, because I don't see anyone better than me.

Ronaldo's lowest goal collection in the last decade was created when he was 37 years old. At that time, he had problems with Manchester United until he finally moved from England to Saudi. At that age, Ronaldo only produced 17 goals from 45 games.

In total, Ronaldo closed his 30s by scoring 460 goals. That number of goals is only three goals less than the 463 goals he scored when he first broke into the Sporting Lisbon squad at the age of 17 to 30.

According to data from the IFFHS (International Federation for Football History and Statistics), Ronaldo is the best goal scorer on earth after the age of 30. The collection of 463 goals from his 30th birthday to the last match at the age of 39 has surpassed the goalscoring records of Romario (441 goals) and Aleksandar Duric (430 goals).

Only three players have scored more than 400 goals after their 30th birthday. Argentine legend Lionel Messi has also struggled to reach that fantastic goal tally. Messi has scored 565 goals before his 30th birthday, but his goal tally after his 30s has only reached 285 goals.

With such a phenomenal goal record, Ronaldo has no hesitation in calling himself the best goal scorer in football history.

"I am the best scorer, the most complete (forward). Am I the best in history? I think so, because I don't see anyone better than me. I say this from the heart and with respect for the other players," Ronaldo said in an interview with La Sexta as reported by Marca.

With 923 goals, Ronaldo is just 77 goals away from becoming the first player in the 21st century to score 1,000 in competitive matches. Given his goal average over the past two years, Ronaldo could reach the milestone when he is 42 years old or in 2027.

"People only talk about 1,000 goals. I scored a lot of goals and people don't appreciate my other goals. I don't like it when people say '85 more goals (to 1,000 goals)'," Ronaldo said.

"Everything happened naturally that made me score 920 or 930 goals. I don't know if I can reach 1,000 goals because I want to enjoy the moment which is much more beautiful than thinking about the long term," he added.

In addition to the number of goals, Ronaldo also still has the ambition to play in the 2026 World Cup for Portugal. The World Cup trophy is the only tournament he has not won for Portugal. CR7 has presented the European Cup and European National League titles for "Selecao das Quinas".

Ronaldo's friends are also convinced that the superstar is not only thinking about the 2026 World Cup. Nani, who won the 2016 European Cup with Ronaldo, is convinced that the Portugal captain still has the desire to appear in the 2030 World Cup which will be held in three countries, one of which is Portugal. In 2030, Ronaldo will be 45 years old.

The 2030 World Cup will present a memorable location for Ronaldo. In addition to Portugal being one of the hosts along with Spain and Morocco, Ronaldo also has the opportunity to appear at the Bernabeu Stadium, his home for nine seasons playing for Real Madrid.

"I have no doubt that he has the ambition to play in the 2030 World Cup. Cristiano will start a special diet to be able to play in the 2030 World Cup in Portugal," Nani told Cidade do Futebol.

Not only Nani, Piers Morgan is also sure that Ronaldo can still play in the 2034 World Cup which will be held in Saudi. "Cristiano will still play. Don't worry, he's only 50 years old," Morgan joked when interviewed by SPL Media last January.

Despite receiving support to continue his service with Portugal in the biggest tournament, Ronaldo is in no rush to think about the 2026 World Cup.

"There's still a year and a half until the World Cup, so a lot can happen. I want to play, but I'm not too obsessed," Ronaldo said.

Borrowing two Arabic phrases that Ronaldo often uttered during his two years in Saudi. He will greet his 40th year with “salam alaikum” to welcome the new age with great motivation.

Then, Ronaldo did not forget to say, "Inshaallah" to discuss his hopes of reaching 1,000 goals and appearing in the next World Cup with Portugal.