Cristiano Ronaldo would be willing to join “the lowest professional league” in order to reach 1,000 competitive goals, according to former Manchester United team-mate Nani.
[FourFourTwo reports] Nani insists the Portuguese star will not need to take such an extreme step, with Ronaldo still going strong for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo has already surpassed 950 career goals and remains the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 143 goals for Portugal.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his final appearance at the tournament, but he has not ruled out playing beyond that on the international stage.
Nani 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.”
Nani also backed Ronaldo to continue defying age, adding: “Nothing surprises me. 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.”
On the possibility of another European Championship appearance, Nani said: “I hope he does play at the Euros. 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.”
Ronaldo, who helped Portugal win Euro 2016 and has earned a record 226 caps, remains under contract in Saudi Arabia until the summer of 2027.
[GOAL reports] former United defender Wes Brown also believes Ronaldo could continue internationally beyond 2026, stressing his ongoing influence and belief that he can still contribute at the highest level.
