Cristiano Ronaldo is closing his international career with Portugal and shifting his focus to Al Nassr, where he is chasing a 1,000th career goal, according to Punch Newspapers. The 41-year-old forward sits on 985 goals, leaving him 15 short of the mark. Punch Newspapers reports that BBC Sport published a retrospective on Thursday tracing the moments that shaped his career across Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and beyond.
Why it matters
Few players have matched Ronaldo's record of trophies and individual honours across Europe's leading clubs, and Punch Newspapers frames his career as one defined by record-breaking feats and unforgettable goals. The 1,000-goal target would add a final landmark to a résumé that already includes multiple league titles, Champions League successes and five Ballon d'Or awards. His move away from international football also marks the end of a Portugal chapter that peaked with the European Championship title in 2016.
The friendly that set the course
Ronaldo's path to stardom began at Sporting CP, where his displays drew Manchester United's interest. According to Punch Newspapers, a pre-season friendly in Lisbon in 2003 proved the turning point: Ronaldo helped Sporting to a 3-1 win and set up two goals, impressing United's players so much that they pressed Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him. Five days later the transfer was completed for £12m, taking him to Old Trafford.
His first season brought the FA Cup, but Punch Newspapers identifies the 2006-07 campaign as the one that established him among the world's best. He struck 17 Premier League goals, collected the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards, and helped United to their first league title since his arrival. The following season was stronger still: 42 goals in all competitions, another Premier League crown, a Champions League triumph with a goal in the final against Chelsea, and his first Ballon d'Or in 2008.
A Porto strike, a Clasico header and Madrid history
One of Ronaldo's most recalled United moments came in April 2009, in the Champions League quarter-finals against Porto. With United needing a goal, he struck from roughly 40 yards into the top corner for a 1-0 win, an effort that earned him the first FIFA Puskas Award. Punch Newspapers notes it was among his last major contributions at Old Trafford before an £80m transfer to Real Madrid later that year.
In Spain, his rivalry with Barcelona produced several notable nights, and Punch Newspapers singles out the 2011 Copa del Rey final. Against a Barcelona side captained by Lionel Messi, Ronaldo headed in Angel Di Maria's cross to secure a 1-0 win, ending Madrid's seven-year wait for the trophy and giving him his first winning goal in a major cup final.
In October 2015 he became Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer, per Punch Newspapers, with a goal against Levante in a 3-0 La Liga win. That took him to 324 goals in 310 appearances, passing Raul's record. He finished his Madrid spell with 450 goals in 438 games, along with two La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.
Lisbon tears and a fifth Ballon d'Or
International silverware had eluded Ronaldo until 2016, when Portugal won their first European Championship by beating hosts France 1-0 in Paris. Punch Newspapers recounts that he was forced off injured in the first half and wept, then spent the rest of the match urging his teammates on from the touchline in what amounted to an unofficial coaching role. Eder's extra-time goal settled it. Ronaldo ended the tournament with three goals and three assists and a place in the team of the tournament.
He collected a fifth Ballon d'Or in 2017 after another strong season in Madrid, scoring twice in the Champions League final against Juventus as Madrid retained the trophy. Punch Newspapers also notes he became the first player to reach 100 Champions League goals, doing so with a hat-trick against Bayern Munich in the 2016-17 quarter-finals. A year later he helped Madrid to a third consecutive European crown, becoming the first player to win the competition five times.
His overhead kick against Juventus in the 2018 quarter-finals stands among his most spectacular goals. Rising above the Juventus defence, he sent the ball into the net and drew applause from the home supporters, per Punch Newspapers, in a moment that became one of the most replayed in the competition's history. Months later he would leave Madrid.
What to watch
Ronaldo now turns to Al Nassr and the 15 goals separating him from 1,000, with Punch Newspapers reporting that he intends to pursue the milestone as one last historic ambition.
