Cristiano Ronaldo is attempting to become the first footballer in history to officially reach the vaunted 1,000-goal benchmark in competitive matches.
Before you ask, yes: Brazilian icons Pele and Romario both claim to have scored well over 1,000 goals in their careers. Guinness World Records even recognized the former as having recorded 1,279 tallies in 1,363 matches, but the merits of those marks are disputed, as the organization counted goals from unofficial friendly matches and games against semipro and amateur sides. Josef Bican and Arthur Friedenreich are in the same boat.
So that leaves Ronaldo, the Portuguese legend who, at 41, continues to chase the official milestone some 24 years after making his professional debut.
With Ronaldo now at the World Cup, where he's making a record-tying sixth tournament appearance, we're keeping track of every goal he scores until he reaches the pinnacle.
Current tally
Goals scored: 973
Games played: 1,321
Latest goals
Nos. 972 and 973
Date: May 21
Competition: Saudi Pro League
Opponent: Damac FC
"THE MOST FAMOUS NO. 7 OF THEM ALL!" 🗣️
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 21, 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo free kick goal for Al Nassr! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/Q5I3GIsVc9
Ronaldo finally captured his first Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr this past season, scoring twice in the decisive 4-1 triumph over Damac FC. His first goal was a seeing-eye free-kick from a tight angle, and he added another from close range later in the title-clinching contest.
No. 971
Date: May 7
Competition: Saudi Pro League
Opponent: Al-Shabab
Another day, another CR7 goal and it’s a special one as he reaches 100 #RoshnSaudiLeague goals 🐐 pic.twitter.com/URdKF7D1Dl
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) May 7, 2026
Ronaldo's 971st goal was a notable one in the context of his career, as it marked his 100th Saudi Pro League tally. He reached triple digits in the Saudi top flight in just 105 matches.
Goal breakdown
By the numbers
1: Ronaldo recorded his first professional goal as a member of his boyhood side, Sporting CP, in 2002 versus Moreirense.
5: Ronaldo has scored in five different World Cups during his career - only Lionel Messi has matched that accomplishment - but he's still looking for his first knockout-stage goal at the tournament.
14: No player has scored more goals (14) at the European Championship than Ronaldo, who lifted the trophy with Portugal in 2016.
69: Ronaldo's most prolific calendar year came in 2013, when he found the net an astonishing 69 times for club (Real Madrid) and country.
140: Ronaldo is the leading scorer in UEFA Champions League history with 140 tallies.
143: His 143 markers (and counting) for Portugal are the most goals in the history of men's international soccer.
