Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy biology. Following his clinical brace in Al Nassr’s 4–0 demolition of Al-Hazem on Saturday, February 21, 2026, the Portuguese legend has reached a milestone that seems more like a video game glitch than reality.
The “Second Career” Phenomenon
At 41 years old, Ronaldo has now scored 501 official goals since turning 30. To put that in perspective, he has scored more goals in the “twilight” of his career than he did in his entire twenties (463 goals before age 30).
-
The Record: He is the first player in football history to cross the 500-goal mark post-30.
-
The Current Tally: With those two goals, his total career count sits at 965 official goals.
-
The Goal 1,000 Countdown: He is now just 35 goals away from the mythical 1,000-goal mark. At his current scoring rate, analysts predict he could reach the milestone in late 2026 or early 2027.
The Sporting CP Rumors: A Final Dance?
While Ronaldo is currently fighting to win his first official Saudi Pro League title (Al Nassr now leads the table with 55 points), rumors of an exit are intensifying.
-
The Lisbon Dream: Reports from Portugal suggest that Sporting CP is preparing a “hero’s return” offer for the summer of 2026.
-
The Motivation: Returning to Europe would allow Ronaldo to play Champions League football one last time before his ultimate goal: the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
World Cup 2026: The “Hexa” Quest
Ronaldo’s primary focus remains the tournament in North America this June.
-
The History: If he scores, he will become the first player ever to score in six different World Cups.
-
The Legacy: After Portugal’s “amnesty” from FIFA regarding a previous suspension, the path is clear for CR7 to lead the national team in what is expected to be his international swan song.