Cristiano Ronaldo: Winning Euros with Portugal Is Like Winning the World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo achieved a remarkable milestone on Thursday, scoring his 900th career goal during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Nations League. This accomplishment makes Ronaldo the first player to reach 900 official goals in matches for both club and country.
Reflecting on the milestone, the 39-year-old Ronaldo expressed its significance: “It means a lot. This is a milestone I had long aspired to. I always believed I would reach it as I continued to play.”
Ronaldo scored in the 34th minute at Lisbon’s Stadium of Light, a goal that put Portugal ahead 2-1. His celebration, marked by him dropping to his knees and covering his head with his hands, underscored the emotional weight of the achievement.
“It was a profound moment because reaching 900 goals is a unique milestone,” Ronaldo said. “It might seem like just another record, but only those close to me understand the dedication and effort required to maintain physical and mental fitness to achieve this.”
This goal was Ronaldo’s 131st at the international level. Following a lackluster performance in the European Championship, where he did not score in Portugal’s five matches before their elimination by France, Ronaldo has been reflective about his future. While he might extend his career into his 40s, potentially participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he downplayed its significance.
“Winning the European Championship with Portugal is as fulfilling as winning the World Cup,” Ronaldo noted. “I’ve already achieved two trophies with Portugal that were very important to me. My current motivation lies in enjoying football and breaking records naturally.”
Ronaldo’s long-time rival, Lionel Messi, secured a World Cup with Argentina in 2022.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
