Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he's not chasing the 1,000 goal mark - despite edging closer to that figure following his brace for Al-Nassr against Al-Hilal on Friday night.
The Portugal international netted twice at the King Fahd International Stadium, with Ali Alhassan also on target, as Al-Nassr closed the gap on their rivals at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.
Ronaldo now has 931 goals to his name, with the 40-year-old still going strong as he enters the twilight years of his career.
In the past, the veteran has expressed home that he'll become the first player in history to score 1,000 career goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he's not chasing the 1,000 goal mark - despite edging closer to that figure following his brace for Al-Nassr against Al-Hilal on Friday night
REUTERS
But now, speaking after his heroics for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has surprisingly admitted that the milestone isn't something dominating his thoughts.
"Guys, let's enjoy the moment. I'm not chasing 1,000," he said, per Goal. "If it happens, perfect. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen.
"The moment is the most special thing not what is going to come, you know. Enjoy the moment and it was a great win - not because I scored of course.
"I'm happy to score two goals against Al-Hilal but the most important thing is to win the derby.
"We play against a fantastic team away, it's always difficult, we have to appreciate and we have to continue because [there are] nine games left with one more in the Champions League.
"Everything is possible, we have to continue and believe."
Ronaldo had previously said that scoring 1,000 goals had started to become an 'obligation'.
Speaking in November 2024, he stated: "I reached the 900 mark last month (in October 2024) and now they already want 1,000.
Cristiano Ronaldo bagged twice as Al-Nassr beat Al-Hilal
REUTERS
"It is almost starting to become an obligation. That is why I say: live in the moment and see the response that my legs will give me in the years to come."
Ronaldo's goalscoring journey started when he was a youngster at Sporting Lisbon.
He scored five goals for his boyhood side before joining Manchester United in 2003 as a replacement for David Beckham.
Ronaldo bagged 118 goals from 292 appearances for the Red Devils, propelling them to three Premier League titles in the process - as well as the 2008 Champions League.
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The 40-year-old's best days were at Real Madrid, however.
In just 438 matches, Ronaldo plundered home 450 goals across all competitions - with Los Blancos winning the Champions League four times.
After netting 101 goals for Juventus, the football icon returned to United in 2021.
He added to his legacy at Old Trafford by scoring 27 goals in 54 matches, despite the club toiling under the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag.
Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring journey started during his time at Sporting Lisbon
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Ronaldo has bagged 94 goals in 104 matches for Al-Nassr since moving to Saudi in the 2022/23 season.
Al-Nassr are currently third in the Saudi Pro League standings, seven points behind Al-Ittihad at the summit.
