Dubai, December 29, 2025 – Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has left the door open for a possible return to European football as he continues his pursuit of the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals. The 40-year-old Al-Nassr forward made the comments while accepting the Best Middle East Player award at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday, just a day after scoring a brace in his club's dominant performance in the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo's remarks came amid a weekend of accolades and on-field success. On Saturday, December 27, he netted twice in Al-Nassr's 3-0 victory over Al Akhdoud at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, helping his team maintain a perfect start to the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League season with their 10th consecutive win – a new record in the competition's history. The goals took Ronaldo's career tally to 956 official senior goals for club and country, leaving him just 44 short of the unprecedented 1,000 mark – a figure no male player has officially reached in competitive matches.
Speaking on stage at the star-studded Globe Soccer Awards ceremony held at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, Ronaldo expressed unwavering confidence in achieving his goal. "My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn't matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe," he said, hinting at flexibility regarding his future club location. He added, "I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going. I will reach the number (1000 goals) for sure, if no injuries."
Ronaldo's comments were made in the context of receiving his second consecutive Best Middle East Player award, recognizing his impactful performances since joining Al-Nassr in January 2023. The event was attended by notable figures from the football world, including Novak Djokovic and young stars like Lamine Yamal. Accompanied by his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, Ronaldo emphasized his ongoing motivation: "It's hard to continue playing, but I am motivated... You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number that you all know."
The brace against Al Akhdoud also marked a personal milestone for the calendar year, bringing Ronaldo's 2025 goal tally to 40 across club and international competitions. This achievement means he has now scored at least 40 goals in 14 different calendar years – a remarkable feat of consistency that underscores his longevity at the elite level. His most prolific year remains 2013, when he scored 69 goals in 59 appearances for Real Madrid and Portugal, including a record 17 in the UEFA Champions League that season.
Ronaldo's current form has been instrumental in Al-Nassr's strong position atop the Saudi Pro League, where they hold a four-point lead over rivals Al-Hilal after 10 matches. The team has scored 32 goals while conceding just five in league play this season. Teammate Joao Felix also contributed in the win over Al Akhdoud, with the Portuguese duo now tied on 12 league goals each.
While Ronaldo has thrived in Saudi Arabia, elevating the profile of the league and earning substantial recognition, his latest statements suggest he remains open to new challenges. "It doesn’t matter if I play in the Middle East or Europe; I want to keep winning titles and reach the milestone everyone knows," he reiterated. This comes after he previously indicated in a November 2025 interview with Piers Morgan that retirement could be one or two years away, with plans to prioritize family life post-football.
Ronaldo's career has been defined by extraordinary records, including the most goals in men's international football (143 for Portugal) and the UEFA Champions League (140). His move to Al-Nassr has not diminished his output, and at 40, he continues to perform at a level that defies age. As he closes in on 1,000 goals, speculation about his next steps – whether staying in the Middle East, returning to Europe, or preparing for the 2026 World Cup as his final major international tournament – will intensify.
With Al-Nassr set to face Al-Ettifaq on December 30 in their final match of 2025, Ronaldo has one more opportunity this year to add to his tally. His enduring passion and physical condition suggest the 1,000-goal dream is realistically within reach, provided health permits.
