Wherever he plays, records seem to follow Ronaldo, who is still often considered the greatest footballer of all time.
While representing Portugal in the 2024/25 Nations League, he set another record by scoring the 900th goal of his career, further solidifying his position as the all-time top goalscorer.
His reaction to this milestone was one of the coolest moments in his illustrious career. Ronaldo’s landmark goal occurred in the 34th minute of Portugal’s 2-0 win over Croatia in Group A of the Nations League.
After the match, the 39-year-old reflected on the achievement, saying, “It was an exciting goal for me; it’s a round number. Only I know how challenging it is to work every day to reach your 900th goal. It’s a unique milestone in my career.”
“I don’t break records; they haunt me!”
In addition to holding the record for the most goals scored by any player, Ronaldo also boasts the highest number of international caps, with 213 appearances, and the most goals in Champions League history, with 140.
“At 39 and a half years old, staying at this level requires immense focus and dedication,” Ronaldo said. “When these records, big or small, happen, I get emotional because I understand and appreciate my efforts and my teammates’ contributions, as none of this would be possible without them.”
Following Portugal’s 2-0 victory over Croatia in the Nations League, Ronaldo was visibly emotional after achieving his 900th career goal. He also reflected on the significance of this milestone after Portugal’s earlier exit from Euro 2024, where they were eliminated by France in a penalty shootout.
“After what happened at the European Championship, we needed to respond positively, and we did,” Ronaldo said. “I felt more liberated in this game. The coach gave me that chance, and we played somewhat differently than we did in the Euros.”
He added, “I feel better and more engaged in the game, which allows me to enjoy football more. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy it at the Euros, but I prefer playing with more freedom.”
Featured Image Credit: beIN Sports/Getty
