Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo reached another milestone by scoring his 900th career goal during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League group stage match against Croatia in Lisbon on Thursday.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner netted the historic goal in the 34th minute, volleying a cross from Nuno Mendes to give Portugal a 2-0 lead in their 2-1 victory. Ronaldo celebrated the moment with emotion, spreading his arms as he sprinted to the corner before dropping to the ground with his hands on his face.
This goal marks Ronaldo’s 131st for Portugal, further extending his record for the most international goals in football history. With 769 club goals to his name, Ronaldo is now the first male player ever to score 900 goals in official matches.
“It means a lot,” Ronaldo said after the game, according to the Associated Press.
“It was a milestone I wanted to reach for a long time. I knew I would reach this number, because as I continue to play, it would happen naturally.”
