Former Manchester United star Nani has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo would be willing to go to the ‘lowest professional league’ if it meant reaching the 1,000-goal milestone.
Ronaldo, 40, has scored 959 career goals and is 49 goals away from hitting a thousand career goals. With two years left on his deal at Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has reiterated his desire to reach the landmark before he calls time on his playing career.
Speaking to FourFourTwo, Nani expressed confidence about Ronaldo scoring 1,000 goals, saying it’s an achievement he prioritizes. He said:
“He’ll reach 1,000 goals easily, I have no doubt. It’s a milestone that matters to him – something he’s had in mind for years. He wants to reach 1,000 documented goals, because other players like Pele or Romario claimed to hit those numbers, but not all of their goals were recorded. Cristiano could make a movie with all of his. He’ll get there – even if he has to go to the lowest professional league in the world to do it. But he won’t need to.”
“Nothing surprises me,” Nani added regarding Ronaldo’s continued goal-scoring form. “Cristiano has always known exactly what he wanted – when you’re that clear about your priorities and you have the right support around you, everything becomes easier. That refusal to give up is what has made him one of the greatest players of all time. Even now at age 40, he still amazes people, but not me. I hope he maintains the same level he showed in qualifying and becomes an important player for Roberto Martinez at the World Cup – goals don’t disappear.”
Cristiano Ronaldo backed to feature in Euro 2028
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he will represent Portugal at the 2026 World Cup and that it will be his last. By the time the tournament commences next summer, the Portuguese superstar will be 41.
However, Nani is backing Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career to continue until 2028, stating that the Al-Nassr man could do ‘something extraordinary’ by playing in the next edition of the Euros at 43 years of age.
“I hope he does play at the Euros,” Nani added. “That will depend on how he feels physically, whether injuries respect him, and whether he finds motivation to keep competing the way he has for more than 20 years. But if anybody can do something as extraordinary as playing the Euros at 43, it’s Cristiano.”
Should Cristiano Ronaldo decide to grant Nani’s Euro request, he would become the oldest player to feature in the competition, surpassing national teammate Pepe’s record at 41 years, 130 days.