Ronaldo edges closer to 1,000 goals as Martinez plays down milestone
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to close in on 1,000 professional goals, but Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez insists the landmark is not driving the captain’s career as he enters another defining chapter.
Ronaldo, now 39, recently committed his future to Al Nassr with a contract extension that runs until at least 2027, keeping alive the possibility of football’s most remarkable scoring milestone. He currently sits on 955 career goals, leaving him 45 away from a territory no player has ever reached.
Rather than framing the chase as an obsession, Martinez has presented it as a consequence of Ronaldo’s daily standards. Speaking about his captain’s mindset, the Portugal coach stressed that Ronaldo remains focused on the present rather than on career totals or symbolic numbers.
The context matters. Ronaldo remains a central figure for club and country, scoring five times in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and continuing to deliver output that few forwards of any age can match. His longevity, reinforced by his Saudi Arabia contract, has only intensified discussion around how far he can push the limits of the modern game.
That debate has not been without friction. Questions resurfaced after a difficult defeat to the Republic of Ireland, a match that ended with Ronaldo sent off after an elbow on Dara O’Shea. Portugal’s subsequent 9-1 demolition of Armenia, played without him due to suspension, reignited familiar arguments about balance and whether the team functions more freely in his absence.
Martinez has been clear in addressing those doubts. He has repeatedly highlighted attitude as a nonnegotiable pillar alongside talent and experience, pointing to Ronaldo’s relentless standards as a reason he remains indispensable. The numbers support that view, with 25 goals in 30 appearances as a central striker under Martinez reinforcing his continued impact.
There has also been a clear tactical shift. Once a winger built on pace and flair, Ronaldo has evolved into a penalty box striker whose presence reshapes defensive structures. Martinez has noted that Ronaldo’s positioning forces opponents into constant double marking, creating space for others and altering the flow of matches even when he is not directly involved.
As Portugal looks ahead to the next phase of their international cycle, the focus remains on results rather than records. Whether Ronaldo reaches 1,000 goals or not, Martinez believes the total will simply reflect the moment he decides to stop. Until then, Portugal continues to build around a captain still capable of shaping matches and rewriting expectations deep into his career.