Since breaking into the first team at Sporting CP in 2002, Ronaldo has gone on to lift a remarkable number of trophies during his career. After moving to Manchester United in 2003, the forward claimed three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson’s stewardship. He then became the world’s most expensive player at the time when he joined Real Madrid for £80 million (€94m/$107m) in 2009, adding a further four Champions League crowns – as well as two La Liga titles – to his illustrious CV. Ronaldo also won Serie A twice with Juventus and took in a second spell at United before moving to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in 2023.
In addition to winning countless major honours at club level, Ronaldo has also tasted glory on the international stage with Portugal. Making over 200 appearances to become the most-capped men’s player in international football history, Ronaldo captained his nation to victory at the 2016 European Championship. He has also won the Nations League twice with Portugal, with the second triumph coming in June following a 5-3 penalty shootout win over Spain.
However, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo insists he still wants to push himself to achieve more milestones in the near future. The 40-year-old has opened up about how his family are keen for him to bring an end to his playing days, but he is defying their pleas as he closes in on achieving the mind-boggling feat of scoring 1,000 career goals, for which he is currently just 54 short.
After being awarded the inaugural Prestige Award at the Portugal Football Globe Awards gala on Tuesday night, Ronaldo said of his immediate future: “I want to keep playing for a few years, not many, I have to be honest. I want to thank all my team-mates, for having learned from all of them – and even from this younger generation as well. For me, it’s a privilege to be with you. Our [Portugal’s] goal is to win the next two games and be in the World Cup. The World Cup will come soon. We have to think solely and exclusively about the present, but with our thoughts ahead. It would be a dream. But step by step. Congratulations to all the winners, to women’s sports, which has done so much, to the president for gala and to all the people who are here. And I think that’s enough. Good evening, everyone.”
Continuing to discuss his future ambitions, father-of-five Ronaldo admitted his family are questioning his pursuit of more history, adding: “People, especially my family, say, ‘It’s time for you to stop. You’ve done everything. Why do you want to score a thousand goals?’ But I don’t think so. I think I’m still producing good things, I’m helping my club and the national team, and why not keep going? I’m sure that when it’s over, I’ll leave feeling fulfilled, because I gave it my all. I know I don’t have many more years, but I try to enjoy the few I have to the fullest.
“If it were 20 years ago, I would say I wanted to ‘eat the world.’ Now I don’t see things that way. Age allows you to think differently. I have a philosophy of living day by day. Things go by so quickly, things change, and you can’t make long-term plans. Right now, I make short-term plans because it gives me more energy that way. It gives me more of a will to live. That’s what I try to do: enjoy each day, training session by training session, game by game. The rest will soon be seen.”
Ronaldo will continue his push to score 1,000 career goals in Portugal’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Republic of Ireland and Hungary. Roberto Martinez’s side play host to Ireland on Saturday, before entertaining Hungary three days later, with both matches to be played at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.
