Even amid ongoing controversy involving Al Nassr and the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy for both club and country continues to shine in 2026.
The football world continues to reflect on a career unlike any other—one that began in Portugal when Ronaldo was still a teenager and went on to redefine excellence at the highest level. From Manchester United to Real Madrid, Ronaldo dominated European football, winning five UEFA Champions League titles and establishing himself as one of the game’s ultimate icons.
Along the way, he collected five Ballon d’Or awards, shattered scoring records across multiple competitions and continues to add to his legacy. Ronaldo is also set to make further history by becoming the first player ever to feature in six FIFA World Cups, alongside long-time rival Lionel Messi.
Here are seven remarkable records Cristiano Ronaldo still holds in 2026.
7. Most Goals in a Single Season for Real Madrid
Ronaldo’s relentless drive to surpass his own standards reached its peak during the 2014–15 season, which remains the most prolific individual campaign in Real Madrid history. He scored 61 goals across all competitions—still unmatched.
That tally included 48 La Liga goals, 10 in the Champions League, two in the UEFA Super Cup and one Copa del Rey strike.
6. Most Appearances in Men’s International Football
Ronaldo holds the record for the most international appearances in men’s football, with 226 caps for Portugal—a figure that remains untouched in 2026.
He is also the only player to have featured in six UEFA European Championships and has represented his country in five World Cups, with a sixth appearance imminent.
5. Most Goals in European Championship History
With 14 goals, Ronaldo remains the all-time top scorer in European Championship history, five goals clear of Michel Platini.
His crowning international moment came in Euro 2016, when he helped Portugal lift their first major trophy. He later added two UEFA Nations League titles to his international honours.
4. Most Goals in Men’s International Football History
Ronaldo also leads the charts for most international goals scored by any male player, with 143 goals for Portugal—a record he still holds in 2026.
Lionel Messi follows with 115 goals for Argentina.
3. UEFA Champions League All-Time Leading Goalscorer
The Champions League remains Ronaldo’s domain. Across spells with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, he scored 140 goals in the competition proper—more than any player in history.
He also holds the record for most goals in a single Champions League season (17) and has won the trophy five times, the second-most ever.
2. Real Madrid’s All-Time Leading Goalscorer
Ronaldo’s impact at Real Madrid remains unmatched. In just 438 competitive appearances, he scored 451 goals, cementing his place as the club’s greatest goalscorer of all time.
That total includes 312 La Liga goals and 105 Champions League goals, along with a record 34 La Liga matches with three or more goals.
1. Most Goals in Football History
At the top of it all is the ultimate record: the most goals ever scored in professional football.
As of 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 961 career goals, more than any player in the history of the sport. Remarkably, 460 of those goals came after turning 30, underlining his extraordinary longevity.
Reaching 1,000 career goals is no longer a question of possibility—but timing.
