Cristiano Ronaldo admits ‘it is hard to continue playing’ but reiterates desire to score 1000 career goals before retiring

A large chunk of those goals have come for his country, where he is the most prolific goalscorer in international football with 141 goals in 223 games.

Ronaldo has two more years left on his current deal with Al Nassr, but has no plans to quit the sport there.

He will also lead Portugal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup – his sixth finals – where he hopes to guide his nation to their first victory in the tournament.

Ronaldo has played over 1,300 professional career games over a sensational 23-year career, which started at Sporting CP in 2002.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Image credit: Getty Images

“It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated. My passion is high and I want to continue,” Ronaldo said on Sunday.

“It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.

“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.”

Ronaldo was recently named Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, after continuing to impress in Saudi Arabia following his move from a second stint at Manchester United.

Ronaldo is considered by many to be the greatest player to grace a football pitch, and it was at United that he made his name, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.

He won the UEFA Champions League with United in 2008, as well as three Premier League titles, but then enjoyed his best years at Real Madrid.

Ronaldo scored 451 goals in 438 games for Los Blancos, picking up four more Champions League titles.

He also played for Juventus before returning to Old Trafford for another spell under one of his former United teammates, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

While in Portugal colours, Ronaldo led the nation to a coveted UEFA European Championship title in France in 2016.

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