Ronaldo’s Resilience: A Captain’s Journey Towards 1,000 Goals

The incident unfolded after the referee signaled half-time, leaving the score at 0-0. Cristiano Ronaldo exhibited visible frustration as the referee interrupted a promising Al-Nassr attack. As he walked towards the tunnel, he approached the official and delivered a pointed remark filled with irony, according to reports by The Sun.

Ronaldo was overheard saying, “Well done, well done. Keep going like that, you’re doing a good game – very good game you do.”

Currently pursuing the once-elusive target of 1,000 career goals, Ronaldo made a significant impact when it mattered most. A penalty was awarded following a foul on Joao Felix, who was pushed while pursuing the rebound from Ronaldo’s own blocked shot. This opportunity allowed Ronaldo to secure the win for his team. Stepping up to the spot against his compatriot Luis Maximiano, he expertly converted the penalty, delivering a low and precise shot into the corner. This goal marked his 953rd career goal and his 83rd in the Saudi Pro League since joining Al-Nassr in early 2023.

Ronaldo’s penalty doubled Al-Nassr’s lead after Angelo Gabriel had opened the scoring just two minutes into the second half. Neom struggled to keep pace and further diminished their chances when Luciano Rodríguez received a red card for a reckless elbow midway through the second half. This dismissal effectively curtailed their resistance, allowing Al-Nassr to secure their eighth consecutive league victory. Since arriving in Riyadh, Ronaldo has tallied 35 goals in his first full season and 25 in the following year, and he is on track to surpass both tallies in his third campaign. Only Joao Felix has outscored him this season, with the 25-year-old netting a late goal against Neom, bringing his total to 10 for the campaign.

After the final whistle, any trace of irritation had vanished. He took to social media to post a typically enigmatic message: “Working on our dream.” The Saudi giants are in pursuit of their first domestic title under Ronaldo’s captaincy, and few would bet against them at this juncture.

Even at 40, Ronaldo’s hunger for goals remains unabated. In 2025 alone, he has averaged over a goal per game, bringing him closer to the celebrated 1,000-goal milestone.

Trailing him on the Saudi scoring charts is Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose 47 league goals since 2023 pale in comparison to Ronaldo’s extraordinary total of 83.

Looking beyond domestic responsibilities, Ronaldo will soon shift his focus to international play. He is set to join the Portuguese national team for their World Cup qualifying campaign, with upcoming matches against Ireland in Dublin and Armenia in Lisbon. Anticipating these fixtures, he revisited a longstanding query regarding his legacy—whether a World Cup victory is essential to complete his narrative.

“If you ask me, ‘Cristiano, is it a dream to win the World Cup?’ No, it’s not a dream,” Ronaldo said in an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored. “Winning the World Cup will not alter my standing in football history. I intend to enjoy each moment. At this stage, we are not yet qualified.

“In my mind, I’m not fixated on that. Of course, I want to win. When you compete, the goal is to win… for me, winning the World Cup will not change my perspective. We have already secured three titles for Portugal, which had never won before. While it is possible for Portugal to win, I question whether my legacy should hinge on a single tournament at this stage of my life. It wouldn’t be fair to define my legacy based on winning just six or seven matches.”

Following his international duties, Ronaldo will face sixth-placed Al-Khaleej on November 23, followed by an AFC Cup match against Istiklol.