Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen. At 41, the Portuguese superstar still scores at the highest level and remains one of the biggest names in world football.
From Sporting CP to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has built a career filled with goals, trophies and extraordinary records.
His latest achievement has brought another historic milestone into focus. After scoring against Abha for Al-Nassr in September 2026, Ronaldo reached 979 career goals, leaving him just 21 goals short of the incredible 1,000-goal mark.
Cristiano Ronaldo Career Stats
Ronaldo’s numbers become even more impressive when his club and international career are considered together.
According to the latest available reporting, his 979 career goals include goals for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr and Portugal. His international record alone stands at 146 goals in 233 appearances for Portugal, both world records in men’s international football.
Cristiano Ronaldo Career Goals by Team
| Team | Goals |
| Sporting CP | 5 |
| Manchester United | 145 |
| Real Madrid | 450 |
| Juventus | 101 |
| Al-Nassr | 132 |
| Portugal | 146 |
| Total | 979 |
These figures reflect his current career tally reported in September 2026.
1. Ronaldo Is Football’s International Goals Record Holder
One of Ronaldo’s greatest achievements is his record for Portugal.
He has scored 146 international goals in 233 appearances, making him the men’s all-time leading international goalscorer as well as the most-capped men’s international player. UEFA confirms both records.
Ronaldo broke the international scoring record in September 2021 when he scored twice against the Republic of Ireland, moving beyond Iran legend Ali Daei’s previous record.
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is its longevity. Ronaldo has scored for Portugal across 23 consecutive calendar years, including 2026.
2. 140 Champions League Goals
Ronaldo’s UEFA Champions League record is arguably the most famous part of his club career.
He has scored 140 goals in 183 Champions League appearances, making him the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer.
His Champions League record by club is extraordinary:
- Manchester United: 21 goals
- Real Madrid: 105 goals
- Juventus: 14 goals
Real Madrid was where Ronaldo became almost unstoppable in Europe’s biggest club competition. His 105 goals for the Spanish giants remain one of the most remarkable individual scoring records in football.
3. Five-Time Champions League Winner
Ronaldo has won the Champions League five times, making him the first player to achieve that feat.
His five victories came with:
- Manchester United — 2008
- Real Madrid — 2014
- Real Madrid — 2016
- Real Madrid — 2017
- Real Madrid — 2018
He was also the first player to score in three different Champions League finals, another record listed by UEFA.
4. A Record 17 Goals in One Champions League Season
During the 2013/14 Champions League campaign, Ronaldo produced one of the greatest individual scoring seasons in European competition.
He scored 17 goals in a single Champions League season, a record that remains unmatched.
That season ended with Real Madrid winning the Champions League, with Ronaldo playing a major role in their historic La Décima triumph.
His Champions League knockout record is also remarkable: 67 goals, another competition record.
5. Ronaldo Has Scored at Six World Cups
Ronaldo also owns a unique FIFA World Cup record.
He became the only player to score at six different World Cups:
2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026.
That achievement demonstrates the extraordinary length of his international career.
When Ronaldo first appeared at the 2006 World Cup, he was a young winger. By 2026, he was a veteran forward still capable of finding the net on football’s biggest stage.
6. The Most Successful EURO Goalscorer
Ronaldo has also dominated the UEFA European Championship.
He has scored 14 goals in EURO final tournaments, the most in the competition’s history.
He also holds the record for:
- Most EURO final tournaments — 6
- Most EURO final tournament appearances — 30
- Most EURO goals including qualifying — 55
- Most EURO final tournaments scored in — 5
He is also the only player to score three goals at multiple EURO final tournaments, doing so in 2012, 2016 and 2020.
7. Ronaldo Is Closing In on 1,000 Career Goals
Perhaps the biggest Ronaldo story in 2026 is no longer whether he can score 900 goals.
It is whether he can reach 1,000.
After his latest goal against Abha, Ronaldo moved to 979 career goals. That means he needs only 21 more goals to reach the historic four-digit milestone.
At 41 years old, reaching 979 goals is an extraordinary achievement.
His current career goal breakdown shows just how much production has come from different stages of his career:
Sporting CP → 5
Manchester United → 145
Real Madrid → 450
Juventus → 101
Al-Nassr → 132
Portugal → 146
Real Madrid remains his most productive club, while Portugal is his most productive international team.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Greatest Clubs
Ronaldo’s career has taken him through some of the biggest clubs in European and world football.
Sporting CP
Sporting was where Ronaldo’s professional journey began. His performances there attracted Manchester United, and the teenager eventually moved to England in 2003.
Manchester United
Ronaldo’s first spell at Manchester United transformed him from a talented winger into a global superstar.
He scored 145 goals for the club across his two spells and won major trophies, including the Champions League.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid was the defining chapter of Ronaldo’s club career.
He scored 450 goals for the Spanish giants and became their all-time leading goalscorer. His period in Madrid included four Champions League titles and numerous individual awards.
Juventus
Ronaldo then moved to Juventus, where he scored 101 goals.
Even after leaving Spain, his scoring ability remained exceptional.
Al-Nassr
At Al-Nassr, Ronaldo entered another stage of his career and continued producing goals.
By September 2026, he had scored 132 goals for the Saudi club, according to the latest career breakdown reported after his 979th career goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal Legacy
Ronaldo’s Portugal career is almost impossible to separate from the country’s modern football history.
He has represented Portugal since 2003 and has now accumulated 233 international appearances and 146 goals.
He also helped Portugal win the UEFA EURO 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League.
His international career has survived multiple generations of players, managers and tactical systems.
That longevity is one of the biggest reasons his records are so difficult to match.
How Many Goals Does Cristiano Ronaldo Need for 1,000?
As of September 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo has 979 career goals.
That means:
979 → Current career total
1,000 → Target
21 → Goals remaining
The 1,000-goal milestone would become one of the most significant individual achievements in football history if Ronaldo reaches it.
Cristiano Ronaldo Stats at a Glance
| Statistic | Ronaldo |
| Age | 41 |
| Portugal appearances | 233 |
| Portugal goals | 146 |
| Career goals | 979 |
| Champions League goals | 140 |
| Champions League appearances | 183 |
| Champions League titles | 5 |
| EURO final tournament goals | 14 |
| World Cups scored at | 6 |
| Champions League season record | 17 goals |
| Career target | 1,000 goals |
| Goals needed | 21 |
UEFA confirms the major international and Champions League records above.
What Makes Cristiano Ronaldo So Special?
Ronaldo’s career isn’t simply about scoring a huge number of goals.
His biggest achievement may be his ability to keep adapting.
He started his career as a quick and creative winger. Over time, he developed into a powerful goalscorer who could dominate matches with finishing, movement, heading and positioning.
His physical preparation and consistency have also allowed him to remain competitive far beyond the normal career span of a professional footballer.
At 41, Ronaldo is still playing regularly for Al-Nassr and remains a major part of Portugal’s national-team story.
Final Verdict
Cristiano Ronaldo’s career is already historic, but the story is not finished.
With 979 career goals, 146 international goals, 140 Champions League goals, five Champions League titles and records across the EURO and World Cup, Ronaldo has built one of the most extraordinary statistical careers football has ever seen.
Now, just 21 goals separate him from the 1,000-goal milestone.
And that could be the next unforgettable chapter of the Cristiano Ronaldo story.
FAQs
How many career goals does Cristiano Ronaldo have?
Cristiano Ronaldo has 979 career goals as of September 2026, according to the latest reports following his goal against Abha.
How many goals has Ronaldo scored for Portugal?
He has scored 146 goals in 233 appearances for Portugal.
How many Champions League goals does Ronaldo have?
Ronaldo has scored 140 Champions League goals in 183 appearances.
How many Champions League titles has Cristiano Ronaldo won?
He has won the Champions League five times.
How many goals does Ronaldo need to reach 1,000?
He needs 21 more goals after reaching 979 in September 2026.
Has Ronaldo scored at six World Cups?
Yes. He is the only player to score at six different men’s World Cup final tournaments: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo the highest international goalscorer?
Yes. UEFA lists Ronaldo as the men’s all-time international leading scorer with 146 goals.
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