CR7 chases 1,000 goals and more: The records Ronaldo could break this year

Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most decorated and celebrated footballers in history, and even at 40 years old, the Al-Nassr superstar continues to chase new milestones. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching and his form still remarkably strong, Ronaldo could be on track to add several historic records to an already unmatched résumé.

Below are six major records Ronaldo could realistically break in 2026:

1. First player to score 1,000 official career goals

Ronaldo sits at 957 official goals, needing just 43 more to reach one of the most mythic landmarks in football. Staying fit will be key, but based on his current scoring rate, he could hit the milestone in the early stages of the 2026–27 season.

Ronaldo has openly stated that he intends to keep playing until he reaches this target.

“It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated,” Ronaldo said at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai.

“My passion is high and I want to continue… You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number [1,000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries.”

If accomplished, he would become the first player in football history to reach 1,000 verified goals.

2. Winning a league title in four different countries

Only a few elite players have captured top-flight titles in four different countries, and Ronaldo could join that exclusive club this season.

He has already won:

• England – Premier League

   

• Spain – La Liga

   

• Italy – Serie A

   

All that remains is a title in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Nassr have been strong this season but recently slipped to second place behind Al-Hilal. Should they reclaim the top spot and win the league, Ronaldo will add yet another historic achievement to his legacy.

Renowned players who have won titles in four nations include Zlatan Ibrahimović, Arjen Robben, David Beckham, and Deco, among others.

3. First player to score in six different World Cups

Ronaldo already holds numerous World Cup records, but scoring in the 2026 tournament would make him the first player ever to score in six different World Cups.

He is the only player entering the 2026 World Cup with this opportunity. Lionel Messi, although also set for a sixth appearance, did not score in the 2010 edition and therefore cannot challenge for this particular record.

4. First player to score 200 penalties

With 180 penalty goals, Ronaldo already holds the record for the most penalties scored in football history.

If he converts 20 more in 2026, he will become the first player ever to score 200 penalty goals. The number may seem high, but Ronaldo remains his club’s main penalty taker—and in 2020 alone, he took 20 penalties and converted 17.

5. First player to score 500 goals after turning 30

Ronaldo recently surpassed Ronnie Rooke to become the highest-scoring player over the age of 30. He currently sits at 494 goals scored since turning 30. Just six more goals will make him the first player ever to reach 500+ goals after hitting that age.

Given that he routinely scores in double digits each year, this milestone is well within reach.

At an age when most footballers have long retired, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy expectations and rewrite the standards of longevity and elite performance. Whether he reaches 1,000 goals, scores at a sixth World Cup, or secures a fourth league title in a fourth country, each milestone would further cement his status as one of football’s greatest icons.

As 2026 unfolds, Ronaldo’s pursuit of history will remain one of the sport’s most compelling storylines—proof that even after two decades at the top, he is still far from finished.

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