Records are always there to be broken, even still for Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to defy age and expectations. Recently, he etched his name into the history books by scoring during the UEFA Nations League semi-finals against Germany. This remarkable achievement made him the only player aged 40 to score in the competition’s brief history. As the Nations League campaign drew to a close, Ronaldo found himself as the second-highest scorer, netting an impressive eight goals over nine matches, coming in just behind Sweden’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, which is looming just a year away, Ronaldo shows no signs of waning and appears to remain a crucial part of Portugal’s plans under head coach Roberto Martinez. However, the questions that linger around Ronaldo’s career are intriguing. What records are still left for him to chase? Will he take part in the 2026 World Cup? And as for his club future, what might be in store for him?
### The Big One: First to 1,000 Goals
One of the most significant records that Ronaldo could potentially achieve is becoming the first player in football history to score 1,000 goals. While Brazilian legends Pele and Romario claim to have reached this milestone, their totals are often debated as they include goals from unofficial matches. As it stands, Ronaldo has 938 senior career goals for both club and country. In contrast, his fierce rival Lionel Messi has scored 865 goals throughout his illustrious career.
For Ronaldo to reach that remarkable 1,000-goal benchmark, he needs to score 62 more goals. Given his recent scoring rate, this could take him approximately 18 months. Over the previous season, he managed to rack up 35 goals across all competitions while playing for Al Nassr and added eight more while representing Portugal. If he maintains a similar performance level over the coming year, he could be very close to reaching this grand achievement just ahead of the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to start on June 11.
### Where Will Ronaldo Score His Goals?
Despite speculation surrounding his potential retirement, Ronaldo has given no indications that he plans to hang up his boots anytime soon. He is expected to continue donning the colors of Al Nassr, a club to which he transferred in December 2022 from Manchester United. His current contract with Al Nassr is set to expire at the end of June, leading to rumors he might join a team participating in the Club World Cup.
After helping Portugal clinch the Nations League title, Ronaldo stated that “practically nothing is going to change” concerning his future. When pressed about whether he intends to stay with Al Nassr, he confirmed with a simple “Yes.” There had been moments of uncertainty, especially after he posted a cryptic message on social media, hinting that “this chapter is over” while mentioning that his story continued to be written. Nevertheless, he quickly clarified his intentions about missing out on the Club World Cup.
### A Record Sixth World Cup?
The emotional scene of Ronaldo leaving the field in tears after Portugal’s quarter-final loss to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup might have signaled the end of his international career. Even during Euro 2024, criticism followed him after failing to score despite starting all five matches for Portugal. However, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, it looks increasingly likely that Ronaldo will compete in a sixth World Cup—a record in itself.
The possibility of Messi, who is now 37 and still active with Argentina, joining him adds to the narrative around these two iconic players. Martinez, who was appointed as the head coach of Portugal in January 2023, has expressed unwavering support for Ronaldo, and in turn, Ronaldo has shared his faith in the coach’s capabilities. Before the Nations League final, he praised Martinez’s accomplishments, asserting that if a coach could lead a team to such significant milestones, questions about his record seemed unfounded.
While Ronaldo has yet to secure a World Cup title—the only major trophy missing from his decorated resume—he remains a central figure in the team. As Nuno Mendes, Portugal’s star player, emphasized, Ronaldo maintains his status as a role model for younger teammates, embodying a winning mentality and serving as an integral support system for the squad.
In conclusion, Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey is not just about breaking records but also about inspiring those around him. Regardless of what the future holds, it is evident that Ronaldo’s story is still being written, and fans worldwide will be eagerly awaiting his next chapter.