Cristiano Ronaldo turned 40 this year, but the numbers don’t lie: he’s still scoring at a level most strikers can only dream of. As of August 2025, the Portuguese star has scored 895 official career goals, spread across five clubs and more than two decades with the national team. No player in the history of football has ever found the net as often.
Goals by club and country
Ronaldo’s career has taken him from Lisbon to Manchester, Madrid, Turin, and now Riyadh. Everywhere he’s gone, goals have followed:
- Sporting CP – 5
- Manchester United – 145
- Real Madrid – 450
- Juventus – 101
- Al Nassr – 70
- Portugal – 124
Total: 895
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi
Any talk of Ronaldo inevitably leads to Messi. The two have defined modern football, pushing each other beyond limits few imagined possible. By mid-2025, Lionel Messi has scored 837 official goals in his career. That leaves Ronaldo ahead by 58 goals.
Ronaldo’s advantage comes from his international record, where he has 124 goals for Portugal, compared to Messi’s 111 for Argentina. Messi, however, owns the World Cup medal from 2022, the one major honor that continues to elude Ronaldo.
For fans, the numbers fuel endless debate. Some even follow their rivalry as closely as they do their own teams, checking stats and fixtures on platforms like MelBet registration to keep track of the action. At this stage, though, their battle feels less about competition and more about appreciation. Together, they’ve rewritten the standards for what a goalscorer can achieve.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s records
CR7 legacy is built in records that may stand for decades:
- All-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League.
- Leading scorer in international football with 124 goals for Portugal.
- First player to break the 850-goal barrier in official matches.
- The only man to feature in five European Championships, with the chance of a sixth World Cup on the horizon.
He has also scored in every major international tournament since Euro 2004, a span of more than 20 years. Another question fans often ask is whether Ronaldo can reach the 1,000-goal milestone. With 895 goals in 2025, he is 105 away.
At 40 years old, that target is ambitious, but his output at Al Nassr — still averaging 25–30 goals a season — keeps the possibility alive. Ronaldo himself has admitted he will continue playing “as long as my body allows,” hinting that chasing the 1,000 mark could fuel the final chapter of his career.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo play at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico?
The question on everyone’s mind is whether Cristiano Ronaldo will still be leading the line for Portugal in 2026. He hasn’t hidden his intentions. In an interview with Telefoot, he said:
“When the next World Cup comes, if I am still physically and mentally fit and the national team needs my services, I will be available for that.”
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez continues to call him up, valuing not only his goals but also his role as captain.
Still, doubts remain. Former French defender William Gallas recently gave his view:
“Cristiano Ronaldo will be at the World Cup, but it will be a magnificent end to his career and, either way, it will end in tears. We don’t know if he will be able to start games physically, but he can still play a role coming off the bench. Portugal look really strong, but winning the trophy will be incredibly difficult.”
At 41, Ronaldo will be trying to do what no outfield player has done before: lead his nation at that age on the biggest stage. Whether he stars or struggles, his presence alone would be historic.
FAQs
How many goals does Cristiano Ronaldo have in 2025?
Cristiano Ronaldo has 895 official career goals, scored across Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr, and the Portuguese national team.
How many goals does Lionel Messi have compared to Cristiano Ronaldo?
By 2025, Lionel Messi has scored 837 goals, leaving him 58 behind Ronaldo’s 895. Ronaldo has the edge in total goals and international scoring, while Messi holds the World Cup trophy.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo play at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico?
Ronaldo has said he intends to be available if fit. Roberto Martínez continues to select him, though analysts like William Gallas believe his role may be more limited.
Could Cristiano Ronaldo and his son play together?
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. is 15 years old in 2025 and training in youth academies. Ronaldo has called it a “dream” to share the pitch with his son, though the age gap makes it unlikely in a professional match.
