Cristiano Ronaldo reaches 961 goals: The race to the historic 1,000-goal mark continues.
Following his goal against Al Kholood on January 31, 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo now has 961 official goals. The 41-year-old superstar is setting new records on his journey to becoming the first player to score 1,000 goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo has further solidified his position as the greatest goalscorer in world football history with his 961st career goal. The goal, scored in Al Nassr's 3-0 victory over Al Kholood on January 31, 2026, not only helped his team maintain their winning streak but also narrowed the gap to the 1,000-goal mark to just 39 goals.
The unprecedented pinnacle of greatness
Unlike the controversial figures, including friendly matches, of legends like Pele or Romario, Cristiano Ronaldo is aiming for 1,000 goals in official competitions alone. This is the most accurate measure of the Portuguese superstar's enduring class and longevity. As of the end of January 2026, his goal-scoring efficiency remains at an astonishing 0.74 goals per game after 1,305 appearances.
Within this vast legacy, Ronaldo is currently the greatest goalscorer at the national team level with 143 goals in 225 matches. The rest are contributed by the clubs he has played for, including Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and currently Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
| Index | Value (Updated January 31, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Number of matches played | 1,305 |
| Total number of goals | 961 |
| Efficiency | 0.74 goals per match |
| Goals for the national team | 143 |
Details of the countdown to 1,000
Ronaldo's journey to conquer the four-digit milestone in late 2025 and early 2026 has witnessed incredible consistency, especially the excellent partnership with his compatriot Joao Felix at Al Nassr.
961st goal (January 31, 2026):In the match against Al Kholood, Ronaldo opened the scoring after a sharp combination with Joao Felix. This was his 17th goal of the current season, helping Al Nassr secure their fourth consecutive victory.
960th goal (January 22, 2026):Ronaldo directly secured three points for Al Nassr in their away match against Damac FC with a powerful low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Goal number 958 (January 9, 2026):Despite Al Nassr's defeat against Al Qadsiah, Ronaldo still managed to leave his mark with a successful penalty kick. Notably, this marks the 24th consecutive calendar year that the superstar has scored in his professional career.
The boom is expected in late 2025.
Before the start of 2026, Ronaldo will have a series of outstanding performances that will propel him into the "hall of legends." Particularly noteworthy is his spectacular overhead bicycle kick goal for the 954th time in his career against Al Khaleej on November 24, 2025. At the age of 40, he still demonstrates exceptional jumping ability and aerial finishing skills at the highest level.
Furthermore, the biggest milestone during this period was his 950th goal against Al Hazem on October 26, 2025. This was the moment Ronaldo officially began his journey towards scoring the final 50 goals to reach the 1,000-goal mark. Support from players like Joao Felix and Wesley helped CR7 optimize his positioning and finishing in the penalty area.
With his current form, experts predict Ronaldo could easily reach 1,000 goals within the next year if he maintains his fitness. Each of his goals now is not just a point for Al Nassr, but also a new chapter in the history of world football.
