Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name further into footballing history on Thursday, scoring his 900th career goal in Portugal’s thrilling 2-1 victory against Croatia in their inaugural Nations League match. The milestone, achieved in the 34th minute, makes Ronaldo the first male footballer to reach this mark in official matches, surpassing the legendary Lionel Messi’s 859 goals.
The match started with a promising lead for the hosts, as Diogo Dalot found the back of the net in the seventh minute. However, Portugal’s advantage was short-lived as Dalot unfortunately scored an own goal later in the game. Ronaldo, who had been seeking a goal in Portugal’s five Euro 2024 matches, finally broke his drought and reached his landmark achievement when he expertly tapped in a cross from Nuno Mendes. The 39-year-old Portuguese superstar, visibly overwhelmed with emotion, fell to the ground as the ball hit the net, signifying the culmination of a career filled with countless goals and victories.
Ronaldo’s international goal tally now stands at an impressive 131 goals, a testament to his consistent dominance on the global stage. His club career has been equally remarkable, with the forward scoring an astonishing 450 goals for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus, and 68 for his current team, Al Nassr. He also added five goals for his first professional club, Sporting Lisbon, further cementing his place as one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the sport’s history.
Croatia fought back valiantly, reducing the deficit just before halftime through a Sosa shot that took a deflection off Dalot, resulting in an own goal. The second half saw a more defensive approach from both sides, with neither team able to find the net. The final whistle blew, securing a victorious start to Portugal’s Nations League campaign with a 2-1 win.
“It means a lot,” Ronaldo shared with AP after the match. “It was a milestone I wanted to reach for a long time. I knew I would reach this number because as I continue to play, it would happen naturally.” Ronaldo’s latest achievement is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence and his enduring passion for the sport, inspiring generations of footballers and fans worldwide.
