Cristiano Ronaldo Shatters Yet Another Goal Record in Stunning 14th Career Milestone
Cristiano Ronaldo's relentless pursuit of goals has resulted in him achieving 40 or more goals in a calendar year for an astonishing 14th occasion throughout his illustrious career.
Football enthusiasts worldwide have debated for nearly two decades about who reigns supreme: Lionel Messi or Ronaldo? Naturally, there's no definitive answer to this puzzle, as it depends on personal preferences regarding what qualities define greatness in a footballer.
For those who prioritize goal-scoring prowess when caught in the Messi versus Ronaldo debate, the statistics provide a clear verdict—Ronaldo emerges as the superior scorer.
The all-time leading scorer in men's international football has publicly expressed his ambition to reach 1,000 career goals across club and international competitions, currently standing at 956 following a double strike for Al Nassr in their 3–0 victory against Al Akhdoud. Meanwhile, Messi has accumulated 923 career goals.
Ronaldo has been competing in the Saudi Pro League for three seasons, concluding his European elite-level career roughly six months before Messi departed for MLS to join Inter Miami. He has registered 112 goals in 125 matches wearing Al Nassr's colors, while Messi has scored 77 times in 88 appearances for Miami. However, Messi guided his team to the 2025 MLS Cup championship—a feat Ronaldo hasn't accomplished in the Middle East.
What Ronaldo has demonstrated is his continued excellence as a prolific goalscorer, despite approaching his 41st birthday in just over a month.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Campaigns with 40+ Goals
Year | Appearances | Goals Scored (Club and Country) |
|---|---|---|
2010 | 59 | 48 |
2011 | 60 | 60 |
2012 | 71 | 63 |
2013 | 59 | 69 |
2014 | 60 | 61 |
2015 | 57 | 57 |
2016 | 57 | 55 |
2017 | 60 | 53 |
2018 | 53 | 49 |
2020 | 45 | 44 |
2021 | 65 | 47 |
2023 | 59 | 54 |
2024 | 51 | 43 |
2025 | 45 | 40 |
Unstoppable Ronaldo Maintains Scoring Form
Ronaldo's detractors argue that his continued goal-scoring success stems from competing in a weaker league rather than maintaining his elite status from his days at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
However, his scoring record for Portugal in major tournaments and qualifying matches indicates he remains at peak performance—netting 25 goals in 30 international appearances since early 2023 demonstrates Ronaldo's ongoing dominance on the world stage.
He has consistently maintained that the Saudi Pro League presents greater challenges than critics acknowledge.
"Certainly, we [the Saudi Pro League] continue to develop, but I'm convinced that currently we rank among the world's top five leagues," Ronaldo stated in June following his Al Nassr contract extension. "I remain confident in our continued growth, and we have the time and have demonstrated over the past two years that the league consistently elevates its standards."
Beyond reaching the 1,000-goal milestone, securing silverware with Al Nassr ranks high among Ronaldo's objectives for the coming year, alongside capturing his first World Cup with Portugal—an achievement that has eluded him despite five tournament appearances (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022).