Cristiano Ronaldo has taken another giant step towards one of football’s most remarkable individual achievements after scoring his 67th career hat-trick to help Al-Nassr secure a thrilling 5-3 victory over Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League.
The 41-year-old Portuguese superstar scored three times in just 15 minutes during the second half on Thursday, taking his career goal tally to 985 — leaving him only 15 goals away from the historic 1,000 mark.
The milestone, which no player has officially reached in senior competitive football, would further strengthen Ronaldo’s place among the greatest goalscorers the sport has ever seen.
Ronaldo Takes Charge After Half-Time
The encounter was far from straightforward for Al-Nassr, as both teams battled fiercely in an entertaining contest.
Al-Kholood opened the scoring through Julien Domingues in the 16th minute before Ângelo Gabriel restored parity for Al-Nassr. Sadio Mané subsequently put the home side ahead, but Antoine Essomba scored in first-half stoppage time to make it 2-2.
Ronaldo had also seen two first-half efforts ruled out, but he returned after the break determined to make his mark.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, finishing a move created by fellow Portuguese international João Félix.
Six minutes later, Ronaldo struck again, this time with his left foot, as Félix once more played a key role in the build-up.
The veteran striker completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute with a header following a contribution from Mané, giving Al-Nassr a decisive advantage.
Domingues converted a late penalty for Al-Kholood, but Al-Nassr held on to claim all three points.
A Record-Breaking Career Continues
The latest performance marked Ronaldo’s 67th career hat-trick across club and international football.
His collection includes 44 hat-tricks for Real Madrid, 10 for Portugal, seven for Al-Nassr and three each for Manchester United and Juventus.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has continued to score at an extraordinary rate despite playing into his forties. His latest achievement has renewed attention on his long-standing ambition to reach 1,000 official career goals.
Ronaldo has previously spoken openly about wanting to achieve the landmark, describing it as one of his biggest personal targets in football.
He now has 985 goals to his name, although the precise totals used in historical comparisons can vary depending on which matches and scoring records are counted.
Can Ronaldo Reach 1,000 Goals?
With only 15 goals separating him from the target, the possibility of Ronaldo reaching the milestone has become an increasingly prominent talking point.
Al-Nassr’s remaining Saudi Pro League fixtures and other club competitions will provide opportunities for him to add to his tally. His availability for Portugal’s upcoming international matches could also influence how quickly he approaches the record.
Ronaldo’s latest hat-trick demonstrates that he remains capable of producing decisive performances, even at this stage of his career. However, reaching 1,000 goals will depend on his form, fitness and opportunities in the matches ahead.
For supporters, the countdown is now firmly underway. Every goal brings the Portuguese icon closer to a milestone that could become one of the defining statistical achievements in modern football.
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