Ronaldo Shines in September, Writes History with Al-Nassr and Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo just keeps proving age is just a number. At 39, the Portuguese superstar continues to break records both for Saudi club Al-Nassr and his national team, capping off an incredible September that saw him reach new milestones in his legendary career.

Ronaldo became Al-Nassr's all-time leading scorer in the Saudi Pro League after netting his 78th goal for the club during their 2-0 victory over Al-Ittihad on Friday. The goal brought his overall career tally to 946 goals across all competitions, putting him within striking distance of his ultimate target: 1,000 career goals.

But that wasn't his only achievement this month. Earlier in September, Ronaldo scored twice in Portugal's 5-0 thrashing of Armenia, taking his international goal count to 149. Those two goals helped him surpass longtime rival Lionel Messi in World Cup qualifying goals, with Ronaldo now sitting on 38 compared to Messi's 36.

Here's what makes Ronaldo's longevity so remarkable: he's actually gotten better with age. Before turning 30, he scored 52 goals in 118 appearances for Portugal. Since then, he's nearly doubled that rate, scoring 88 goals in just 104 matches.

The 1,000-goal milestone isn't just a dream for Ronaldo - it's become an obsession. He's made it clear in interviews that unlike Brazilian legend Pelé's claimed 1,000 goals, every single one of his strikes is officially documented and verifiable. With 54 goals left to reach that mark, it's not a question of if, but when.

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez continues to build his team around Ronaldo, and the results speak for themselves. The veteran forward played a key role in Portugal's recent Nations League triumph, scoring in the final against Spain before his team won on penalties. It marked Portugal's third major tournament victory and their second Nations League title.

Critics who questioned Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia in 2022 have been silenced. Far from hurting his fitness or form, the switch from Manchester United to Al-Nassr has allowed him to maintain peak physical condition while still competing at the highest level internationally.

With the 2026 World Cup less than two years away, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. He's playing full 90-minute matches regularly and remains Portugal's primary attacking threat. For a player who will turn 41 next February, his physical condition and goal-scoring output remain extraordinary.

The numbers tell the story of a player defying conventional wisdom about athletic decline. While most forwards see their careers wind down in their mid-30s, Ronaldo continues setting records and chasing new targets. His pursuit of 1,000 career goals represents more than personal ambition - it's a testament to sustained excellence across more than two decades at football's highest level.