Ronaldo: Historic 900th goal gets GOAT nod from GWR

Cristiano Ronaldo has reached a monumental milestone with his 900th career goal, prompting Guinness World Records (GWR) to subtly acknowledge his legendary status.

Responding to social media discussions, the organization used a GOAT (Greatest of All Time) emoji to highlight Ronaldo’s achievement.

This recognition underscores Ronaldo’s place as one of football’s all-time greats.

His 900th goal, scored during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League opener against Croatia, came in the 34th minute from a volleyed cross by Nuno Mendes, contributing to a 2-1 victory for Portugal.

Guinness World Records celebrated the milestone by quoting a BBC post that praised Ronaldo’s achievement:

“900 career goals for Cristiano Ronaldo. Incredible. #BBCFootball.”

The global authority on record-breaking achievements since 1955, #GWR, added to the celebration.

Ronaldo’s latest goal reinforces his dominance in international men’s football and across club competitions, surpassing other football legends like Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo ‘s early beginnings

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal.

His football journey began at a young age, playing for local club Andorinha before joining Nacional.

At just 12 years old, Ronaldo moved to mainland Portugal to join Sporting CP, where his talent quickly caught the eye of scouts.

Career milestones

Manchester United (2003–2009):

Ronaldo signed with Manchester United in 2003, becoming the most expensive teenage player in English football at the time.

His early years in England were marked by rapid development and success.

During his time at Manchester United, Ronaldo won three Premier League titles (2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09) and the UEFA Champions League in 2008.

He was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2008, recognizing him as the world’s best player.

Real Madrid (2009–2018):

In 2009, Ronaldo transferred to Real Madrid for a then-world record fee of £80 million.

His tenure at Madrid was extraordinarily successful, as he became the club’s all-time top scorer.

Ronaldo won four Champions League titles (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) with Madrid and four Ballon d’Or awards (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).

He scored 450 goals in 438 appearances, showcasing his prolific scoring ability.

Juventus (2018–2021):

Ronaldo moved to Juventus in 2018, continuing his career in Italy.

At Juventus, he won two Serie A titles (2018–19, 2019–20) and became the first player to win league titles in England, Spain, and Italy.

Return to Manchester United and Al Nassr (2021–2023):

Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2021 but faced challenges with the team’s performance.

In 2022, he signed with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, continuing his career in a new environment.

Portugal National Team:

Ronaldo’s international career began in 2003. He has since become the highest-scoring international player, surpassing Ali Daei’s record of 109 goals in 2021.

He has also led Portugal to victory in the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.

Journey to the 900th Goal:

Ronaldo reached his 900th career goal on September 5, 2024, during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League opener against Croatia.

He scored this milestone goal in the 34th minute, contributing to a 2-1 victory for Portugal.

Comparisons with Other Football Legends

Lionel Messi: Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s primary rival, has also achieved significant milestones in his career.

Messi surpassed the 700-goal mark for Barcelona and later achieved similar feats with Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team.

As of September 2024, Messi has scored over 800 career goals, with his achievements similarly spanning multiple clubs and international competitions.

Pelé: Pelé, a football legend from Brazil, scored over 1,000 goals in his career, including friendlies and unofficial matches.

Officially, his count is around 767 goals in competitive matches. Pelé’s career was marked by three FIFA World Cup victories (1958, 1962, 1970).

Diego Maradona: Diego Maradona, another football icon, scored over 300 goals in competitive matches.

Maradona’s career is remembered for his incredible skills and the 1986 FIFA World Cup victory with Argentina, where he was named the tournament’s best player.

Cristiano Ronaldo distinguishes his career with exceptional goal-scoring ability and success across multiple leagues and international competitions.

His achievement of 900 career goals solidifies his place among football’s all-time greats, reflecting his enduring impact on the sport and his remarkable consistency over two decades.

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