Rio Ferdinand reacts with 3-word message after Cristiano Ronaldo scores Portugal winner off the bench against Scotland
Rio Ferdinand seems to be keeping count of Cristiano Ronaldo's goals tally. The latter scored his 901st career goal after netting in Portugal's 2-1 UEFA Nations League Group A1 win over Scotland on Sunday (September 8).
The Portuguese superstar did so after coming on as a second-half substitute, finishing off a Nuno Mendes cross from close range to seal an 88th-minute winner. Ronaldo posted a carousel of photos from the win at Estadio da Luz on his Instagram, which drew a comment from his ex-Manchester United teammate, Ferdinand.
Referring to Ronaldo's career goals tally, the Englishman wrote:
"901 Not Out"
Coincidentally, the same Mendes-Ronaldo combination resulted in the latter's 900th career goal, which came in Portugal's 2-1 Nations League opening-day win against Croatia last week. He is the only player in men's football with 900 or more goals.
Lionel Messi, the closest to him on that list, has 838 goals to his name. Ronaldo now has 132 goals in 214 appearances for Portugal — both records in men's football.
The 39-year-old has also started the Saudi Pro League in fine form, scoring four times and laying out two assists in four matches across competitions. He is now two away from scoring 100 goals after turning 37 — a testament to his longevity.
Cristiano Ronaldo has already told Rio Ferdinand he wants to score 1,000 career goals
Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved almost everything there is to achieve in the sport. Yet, he remains highly motivated to continue building on his legacy, including breaking the records he already holds—one of which is scoring the most official goals in men's competitive matches.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand last month on his newly-launched YouTube channel, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said (via ABC News):
"I want to reach 1,000 goals. If I don't have any injuries, this for me is the most important [thing], I want that. For me, the best mark that I can have in football is to reach, first, 900 goals. After, my challenge is to be at 1,000 goals."
Ronaldo estimates that he can reach that mark around the age of 41. That would be around the time North America hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup — the only major trophy missing from his stacked cabinet.