Ronaldo scores twice on return, reaches 967 career goals

Cristiano Ronaldo took another step toward one of football's most elusive milestones on Thursday, scoring twice in Al Nassr's 5-2 victory over Al Najma to bring his career tally to 967 goals across all competitions. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward, returning from a month-long injury layoff, now sits just 33 goals away from becoming the first male footballer to officially reach 1,000 career goals.as+2

A Landmark Night in Riyadh

The match, played during Matchweek 27 of the Saudi Pro League, also marked Ronaldo's 100th appearance in the competition, in which he has now scored 97 goals. His first goal came from the penalty spot in the 56th minute after a free kick struck the arm of an Al Najma defender. The second arrived in the 73rd minute, finished from close range off a low cross — though it required a VAR review after initially being ruled out for offside, prompting an animated celebration from Ronaldo once the decision was overturned.gulfnews

Sadio Mane also scored twice as Al Nassr extended their winning streak to 15 consecutive matches across all competitions and moved six points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.youtube+1

The Road to 1,000

Ronaldo entered 2026 with 957 career goals and has added 10 so far this year, all in league play for Al Nassr. His scoring rate has remained remarkably consistent — he has surpassed 40 goals in each of the past three calendar years, including 54 in 2023 and 43 in 2024. Since turning 30, he has scored more than 500 goals, surpassing the 463 he accumulated before that age.beinsports+3

With Al Nassr's remaining Saudi Pro League fixtures and Portugal's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the possibility of Ronaldo reaching 1,000 goals on football's biggest stage remains alive. At his current pace, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and all-time leading men's international scorer — with 143 goals in 225 appearances for Portugal — would need roughly one goal per match to hit the mark before or during the tournament.sports.yahoo+3

"Good to be back," Ronaldo wrote on social media after Thursday's match, a simple message from a player whose pursuit of an unprecedented number continues to define the final chapter of a career spanning more than two decades.thedailystar