Cristiano Ronaldo sets his sights on jaw-dropping 1,000 goal career target after being challenged to complete the audacious feat by Porto’s president, as he extends his international goal haul with a brace for Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo says he wants to score 1,000 goals before retiring after being challenged to achieve the mind-blowing feat by FC Porto president.

This came after the Al-Nassr superstar extended his record 125 international goals on Friday night, scoring twice to help Portugal secure a 3-2 victory in their Euro 2024 qualifier against Slovakia, which was also his 200th appearance for the national team.

The 38-year-old surpassed Ali Daei’s 15-year international goalscoring record in 2021 and subsequently became FIFA’s all-time top scorer in 2022, having now scored 857 goals throughout his career .

But Ronaldo is hungry to break more records before calling it quits, admitting he hopes to take on a bold challenge from Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto.

“He (Pinto) challenged me to reach 1,000 goals,” Ronaldo said after Portugal’s victory over Slovakia.

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he wants to score 1,000 goals before retiring

The Al-Nassr superstar scored twice in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Slovakia on Friday.

“It will be quite difficult, but it’s about seeing how I’m doing mentally, my motivation. If, physically, my legs treat me as well as I treat them…’

Ronaldo has been in fine form so far this season, having scored 11 goals in 11 appearances in all competitions for Al-Nassr so far this season.

Although the goal of 1,000 goals poses a significant challenge, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner remains confident in his ability to score at least 900 goals.

‘Let’s see. Until I reach 1000, I must first reach 900. I believe I will achieve this. Now I always think about short-term goals.

“The goal of 900 goals? I’m confident, but for 1,000 goals, that’s a lot of stone to break.

This comes after Ronaldo reportedly told Al-Nassr that he wants to sign a contract extension with the club.

He arrived in Saudi Arabia in December 2022, signing a historic £175m-a-year contract with the club, with his contract expiring in 2025. Forbes also reported this week that he is currently the highest-paid footballer in the world .

And after turning 38 in February, he appears to have no plans to retire just yet, with the striker aiming for his sixth European title next summer.

Speaking about playing for Portugal in Germany next summer, he added, according to Ojogo: ‘I hope to be fine by then, but there is still a lot of time, I hope I don’t have any injuries or other problems.

“I hope to play and be in the final again, but until then there are a lot of things left, a lot of things at club and national team.”

This match was also his 200th international appearance and he received a commemorative trophy before the match.

Ronaldo was challenged to score 1,000 goals by FC Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto (pictured)

He is also aiming for participation in the European Championships next summer.

If he continues to play, the five-time Champions League winner could also aim for an appearance in the 2026 World Cup, by which time he would be 41.

Portugal currently lead Group J in the Euro 2024 qualifying standings and will face Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday evening.

With a place already booked for next summer’s tournament, it is questionable whether Ronaldo will feature in that match and could be rested, with Al-Nassr back in action at Damac next Saturday.

Ronaldo also made headlines this week after reports claimed he could be “sentenced to 99 lashes for adultery” after being seen kissing an Iranian painter during a trip to the country in September.