CRISTIANO RONALDO 'KNEW HE WOULD ACHIEVE' UNPRECEDENTED 900 GOALS - AS PORTUGAL ICON REVEALS THE 'PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL' TOLL HIS RECORD-BREAKING CAREER HAS TAKEN

The 39-year-old scored his 900th in Portugal's 2-1 win against Croatia yesterday
It was full-circle moment after his first goal came for Sporting Lisbon in 2002
SOCCER A-Z: Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube. New episodes every Wednesday

Cristiano Ronaldo has said he 'knew I would achieve' reaching the remarkable tally of 900 goals for club and country — a milestone that has never been reached before.

In a perfect full-circle moment, the 39-year-old netted his 900th goal during Portugal's 2-1 Nations League victory over Croatia on Wednesday in front of an expectant Lisbon crowd.

For it was while Ronaldo was playing for Sporting Lisbon in 2002 — before he made his storied journey through two spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr — where his first-ever goal was produced, in a league game against Moreirense at the age of 17.

Nearly 22 years and a breathtaking 899 goals later and the Portugal talisman was visibly overwhelmed when he converted Nuno Mendes' cross in the 34th minute against Croatia, collapsing to the ground in tears as his team-mates swarmed him.

'Only me and the people around me know how difficult it is to work daily to be physically and psychologically well and reach goal 900,' said Ronaldo following his first strike since June, which extended his record international haul to 131.

'It's a unique milestone in my career and it was with a lot of emotion I celebrated that goal. It represents a lot.

'It was the number I wanted to achieve for a long time and I knew I would achieve it because, as I continue to play, it would happen naturally.

'I already won two trophies for Portugal, something I really wanted. Whatever comes next is spectacular.'

And, he added: 'I dreamed of this and I have more dreams.'

Of the 900 goals the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has netted, exactly half came during a prolific nine-year spell at Real Madrid, followed by 145 for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus and 68 for Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League side he joined in December 2022 after an unsavoury ending to his second spell in England.

And Ronaldo, 40 in February, is refusing to rule out featuring at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

'It's his decision and it depends on whether he feels good and at a high level,' said Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes.

'We know that he is capable of reaching a certain age with this great level of demand, but it is up to him to decide and I am sure he will decide in favour of his well-being and the national team.'

Ronaldo's first-half strike put Portugal two up after Diogo Dalot's opener, but the United defender scored an own goal soon after to set up a nervy second half at the Estadio da Luz.

'I congratulate Cristiano Ronaldo for another historic milestone, not only in his career but also in Portuguese and world football,' said Portugal FA chief Fernando Gomes.

'It is a memorable moment with a special meaning for having been achieved at the service of the national team.'

2024-09-06T22:02:16Z dg43tfdfdgfd