Brazil legend Roberto Carlos confident Cristiano Ronaldo will reach the 1,000-goal mark

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary forward for Portugal and Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Over a career that has spanned more than two decades at the highest level, Ronaldo has become synonymous with elite goal-scoring, relentless professionalism, and remarkable longevity. His glittering résumé includes league titles across multiple countries, international success with Portugal, and an unmatched collection of individual accolades highlighted by five Ballon d’Or awards.

Now 41 years old, Ronaldo shows little sign of slowing down. Defying conventional expectations of age and decline, he continues to score with impressive regularity while maintaining elite physical condition. Widely regarded as the most decorated player in UEFA competition history, Ronaldo holds a vast array of Champions League and European records that have firmly secured his place among football’s immortals.

Despite having achieved nearly everything the sport has to offer, the Portuguese superstar has repeatedly emphasized that retirement is not on his mind. Instead, Ronaldo remains driven by unfinished goals—chief among them the pursuit of the historic 1,000-goal milestone in professional football. Brazil and Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos is among those confident that Ronaldo will eventually reach that mark and believes the five-time Ballon d’Or winner should continue playing for as long as possible.

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“For those who love Cristiano and football, seeing him continue to make history and break records is wonderful. The only player to have scored 1,000 goals was Pele, but Cristiano could join the list. I see him happy and confident in the Saudi league. I’m absolutely certain he will reach that milestone. He never gets injured. He continues to play well, he is a role model, Portugal deserves congratulations,” Carlos said in a media interaction.

🚨🇧🇷 Roberto Carlos a donné son avis sur la participation de Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹 à la Coupe du Monde 2026 :

« Cristiano 𝗡𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗧 𝗝𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘̂𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗗𝗘 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗘𝗥. Si jamais il envisageait de prendre sa retraite, je l’appellerais pour le dissuader.

Il… pic.twitter.com/ewoBP1kXh5

— ActuCR7 (@ActuCR7_) February 7, 2026

Carlos went even further, stressing Ronaldo’s influence beyond goals and trophies, particularly his impact on younger generations and aspiring footballers around the world.

“Cristiano can’t stop, ever. If he ever decides to stop playing, I will call him and tell him not to stop. He’s one of those players who represent a lot, both for clubs and for the national team, for children, for younger players. He should never stop playing football, even if it’s just with one leg or crawling. He transmits a lot of strength and energy to any boy who wants to start,” he added.

Looking ahead, the 2026 FIFA World Cup—co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada—looms large for Ronaldo. The tournament is expected to be his sixth World Cup appearance, a historic feat in itself, and represents his final opportunity to capture the one major trophy missing from his illustrious collection. While Ronaldo has already led Portugal to European Championship glory, lifting the World Cup would further elevate his legacy to unprecedented heights.

Carlos, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, believes that the dream remains alive for Ronaldo and Portugal, even as the odds grow steeper with age.

“It would be beautiful, without a doubt. It has never happened, but there’s always a first time, and hopefully it will. Regarding Portugal, they are a team that can beat anyone, as has happened in recent years. They have a key player in the group, Cristiano Ronaldo, a great midfield, and an excellent coach. Now they just need to work hard and also have a bit of luck, which is always necessary to win the World Cup. The Portuguese team is currently more confident than Brazil, which recently changed coaches. They are among the favorites, as always, although they have never won,” Carlos concluded.

As Ronaldo continues to rewrite the limits of longevity and excellence, his journey remains one of football’s most compelling stories. Whether chasing records in the Saudi Pro League or preparing for what could be a final World Cup swan song, the Portuguese icon shows no intention of stepping away—driven by history, fueled by ambition, and still very much at the center of the global game.

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