“We’ll see, these are small steps” - When Cristiano Ronaldo touched upon ‘mindset' after being asked if he’ll score 1000 career goals
Cristiano Ronaldo responded to FC Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto after being asked whether he could score 1000 career goals in 2023. The Portuguese sensation was unable to add to the 857 senior goals he's already managed during this year's European Championships with Portugal.
This would be a monumental challenge, given Ronaldo is 39 years old and only has a year left on his current contract with Al-Nassr. Despite that, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has seemingly taken up the challenge from Pinto when he said (via GOAL):
"It will be quite difficult, but it's about my mindset and motivation. If physically, my legs treat me as well as I treat them... We'll see, these are small steps. To get to 1000, you will first have to get to 900. I think I will get there."
For Ronaldo to reach this landmark, one would assume that it would take him at least three more seasons at the highest level. Certain reports suggest that Al-Nassr are willing to offer the former Manchester United striker an extension that will keep him at the club till 2027.
This would allow Ronaldo to get to this milestone and also continue representing Portugal if he's bagging goals. The ex-Real Madrid man has yet to win a FIFA World Cup with his nation and could give himself a chance to lift the trophy in the 2026 edition of the tournament.
Until now, he's played 64 matches across competitions for Al-Nassr, bagging 58 goals and 15 assists.
When Portugal boss Roberto Martinez was asked about Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement
Portugal manager, Roberto Martinez, failed to confirm whether Cristiano Ronaldo would be retiring from international football following the country's exit from Euro 2024.
Ronaldo and Co. were lacklustre throughout the competition and eventually lost to France on penalties in the quarter-final. When asked about whether we'd seen the attacker for the last time in a Portugal shirt, Martinez said (via Express):
"We are suffering as a team. There's no individual decision at this point. It's too soon and raw after the match to talk about that and there have been no individual decisions made."
To date, Ronaldo has played 212 matches across competitions for his nation, bagging 130 goals. He managed to win the European Championships in 2016 when Portugal defeated France in the final.
If Ronaldo does retire from international football, Martinez could call upon Diogo Jota or Goncalo Ramos to play in the number nine position.