Age is indeed just a number for Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 38, continues to amaze the footballing world with his record-breaking performances. The legendary forward, who has graced the pitches of Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, has added yet another milestone to his illustrious career by netting twice for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
In a commanding 4-0 victory over Al-Shabab, Ronaldo confidently converted two penalty kicks, taking his tally to an impressive five goals in just four games for the 2023/24 season, accompanied by two assists, according to Eurosport.
However, this accomplishment goes beyond the confines of a single match or season. Cristiano Ronaldo has now etched his name in history as the all-time leading goal-scorer in national leagues, an honor that his greatest rival, Lionel Messi, currently trails far behind in fourth place.
In his quest for this remarkable feat, Ronaldo has amassed an astonishing 517 goals in national leagues. This record-breaking achievement surpasses the previous joint record held at 515 goals by the legendary Austrian-Czech footballer Josef Bican and Real Madrid icon Ferenc Puskás, as reported by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
What sets Ronaldo’s accomplishment apart is the diversity of leagues in which he achieved this milestone. He has conquered three of Europe’s top five leagues: the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and Italian Serie A. In addition to these achievements, Ronaldo has found the net in the Portuguese top-flight and, most recently, the Saudi Pro League.
Meanwhile, his long-standing rival and fellow footballing legend, Lionel Messi, finds himself in a distant fourth place with 496 goals, trailing Cristiano by a notable 21 goals.
To provide a breakdown of Ronaldo’s 517 goals by national league:
- Portuguese Primera Liga: 3 goals
- English Premier League: 103 goals
- Spanish La Liga: 311 goals
- Italian Serie A: 81 goals
- Saudi Pro League: 19 goals
In addition to surpassing longstanding records, Cristiano Ronaldo has also become the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League, surpassing Al-Hilal’s Brazilian forward, Malcom.
This season, Cristiano Ronaldo has been in exceptional form, showcasing his scoring prowess by finding the back of the net five times in just two league matches. As he continues to defy age and expectations, Cristiano Ronaldo remains an iconic figure in the world of football, setting new standards and inspiring generations of players and fans alike.