Cristiano Ronaldo confirms his final career target as he doubles down on retirement claim

Cristiano Ronaldo says he wants to keep playing into his 40s, and has doubled down on plans to reach a huge milestone. Following his brace for for Al-Nassr on Tuesday, the Portuguese superstar is now one goal away from reaching 900 career strikes.

Speaking to former Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo said his main aim is to reach 1,000 career goals, suggesting that he has no plans to hang up his boots anytime soon. “One thing that I’ve learned in the last few years is [to] enjoy the moment. Live the moment because you don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” the legendary forward said on his UR Cristiano YouTube channel.

“I know I’m still looking good, I feel that I can still dribble, score goals, shoot, jump. The day that I start to feel that I can’t produce anything I will pack by bags and go away.”

Not one to shy away from speaking his mind, he continued, defending his recent performance: “I scored 60 goals [last] season, but I didn’t score in five games at the Euros and people ask ‘What’s going on? What’s the problem?’ [But] I scored 130 [goals for Portugal], I’m the [best goalscorer at international level] in the world’s history.

“Soon I will [score] 900 [career goals], and after that I will beat 1,000. I want to reach it.” Ferdinand asked him how old he thinks he’ll be when achieves his goal, and Ronaldo responded: “41? I don’t know. This is why I told you I want to leave the present.

“But if I don’t have injuries, this is the most important thing. I want [to reach 1,000 goals]. For me it’s the best mark that I can have in football.”

Ronaldo has scored more competitive goals than anyone else in the history of football, with eternal rival Lionel Messi trailing him on 838 goals. In third place is Brazilian great Pele, who is credited with 762. However, there’s some contention over Pele’s tally as many were notched up in non-competitive matches.

In a light-hearted jibe at the three-time World Cup winner, Ronaldo told Ferdinand: “There is one difference [with my goals record]. All the goals that I scored, they have video. So I can prove that [they happened].”

The former United and Real Madrid ace also hinted at plans to see his career out at Al-Nassr. “I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al-Nassr,” he told Portuguese outlet Now. “I’m happy at this club. I feel good in this country too. I’m happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue.”

Ex-United striker Louis Saha has made a bold prediction about a potential third stint for Ronaldo at Old Trafford, despite his unceremonious departure in 2022. “Cristiano Ronaldo has the passion and dedication to return to Manchester United one day,” Saha told TVSporten. “That could be as a coach or even a manager.”

The Frenchman believes that Ronaldo left with “unfinished business” due to a disappointing end to his second spell with the club. “It didn’t end how everyone had hoped, and you can see why that frustrated him. He didn’t see the same formula and didn’t see the passion from young players that he had been used to seeing.”

Ronaldo racked up 346 appearances and hit the net 145 times across his two memorable spells with the Red Devils. However, his latter stay was marred by tension, culminating in him being sidelined from the squad by boss Erik ten Hag. It came to a head following Ronaldo’s explosive tell-all with Piers Morgan, criticising the manager and the club’s hierarchy, shortly after which his contract was terminated by mutual agreement.