Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has declared that his drive to achieve a staggering 1,000 career goals remains as strong as ever. The Portuguese superstar made this ambitious statement after being honoured with the Best Middle East Player award at the prestigious Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday.
Undimmed Passion and a Clear Target
Accepting the award for the second year running, Ronaldo opened up about his enduring love for the game. "It's hard to continue playing, but I am motivated," he stated. "My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn't matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going."
He then directly addressed his legendary pursuit: "You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number (1,000 goals) that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries." This declaration comes on the back of his recent performance for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, where he scored a brace to take his combined tally for club and country to 956 goals.
The Path to the Milestone
With 44 goals needed to hit the quadruple-digit mark, Ronaldo's current form suggests the landmark is within reach. His move to Al-Nassr has seen him continue his prolific scoring, maintaining the incredible standard he set over a two-decade career at Europe's elite clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
The Globe Soccer Awards ceremony also validated other major football honours from the year. The complete list of key winners includes:
- Best Male Player: Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
- Best Female Player: Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona)
- Best Middle Eastern Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
- Emerging Player: Désiré Doudé (PSG)
- Best Coach: Luis Enrique (PSG)
- Best Men’s Club: PSG
- Best Women’s Club: Barcelona
What This Means for Football
Ronaldo's unwavering focus on such a historic personal milestone, while still prioritising team trophies, underscores his unique mentality. Even at this advanced stage of his career, he continues to set benchmarks that seem superhuman. For fans in India and across the globe, his journey offers a compelling narrative of longevity, fitness, and relentless ambition.
As he continues his campaign in Saudi Arabia, every match brings him closer to the unprecedented 1,000-goal mark. The football world will be watching, waiting to witness history being made by one of the sport's greatest ever goalscorers.
