Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first footballer to score 900 official goals. Where do Lionel Messi’s soccer stats stand?

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal in Portugal’s home Nations League game against Croatia on Thursday. Former Real Madrid, Manchester United soccer legend is the first man to reach the 900-goal milestone in official matches for club and country.

Ronaldo put his side 2-0 up at the Estadio da Luz in the 34th minute when he got on the end of a Nuno Mendes cross with a tap-in volley from close range, before falling to the ground looking emotional at reaching another milestone.

39-year-old Ronaldo has now netted 131 international goals, 450 for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus and 68 for his current club Al Nassr as well as five for his first club Sporting Lisbon.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, second in the all-time scorer’s list, has bagged 859 career goals. “It means a lot,” Ronaldo said after Portugal’s 2-1 win. “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.”

In the celebration, Ronaldo raised his hands to his face and dropped to his knees. “It was emotional because it’s a milestone,” he said. “It seems like any other milestone, but only I know, and the people around me, how hard it is to work every day, to be physically and psychologically fit, to score 900 goals. It’s a unique milestone in my career.”

It was the 131st goal of his international career. The goal put Portugal up 2-0. Croatia later made it 2-1. Ronaldo plays club soccer for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

FAQs

Q1. How many goals Ronaldo has for clubs?
A1. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 450 goals for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus and 68 for his current club Al Nassr as well as five for his first club Sporting Lisbon.