Cristiano Ronaldo's 900 Career Goals: The Stats

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Cristiano Ronaldo has reached an astonishing 900 career goals. We break down the stats behind his legendary run. Plus, Victor Osimhen’s surprise move to Galatasaray over Chelsea, PSG, and Saudi offers—why did he choose this path?

Let’s dive in!

Cristiano Ronaldo's 900 Career Goals: The Stats

Cristiano Ronaldo reached another monumental milestone on September 5, 2024, scoring his 900th professional goal during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League victory over Croatia. Let’s break down the statistics and remarkable feats behind this incredible achievement.

The Historic Goal: Ronaldo’s 900th goal came during Portugal's 2-1 win over Croatia, as he finished Nuno Mendes’ cross from close range. This landmark goal arrived 8,004 days after his first, which he netted for Sporting CP in a 3-0 win against Moreirense in the Primeira Liga in 2002. He bagged a brace that day in his first league start.

Club Goals: Of his 900 goals, 769 have been scored at the club level:

• Real Madrid: 450

• Manchester United: 145

• Juventus: 101

• Al-Nassr: 68

• Sporting CP: 5

International Goals: The goal against Croatia marked Ronaldo’s 131st for Portugal, extending his lead as the top international goal scorer in men’s football. His closest rivals? Lionel Messi with 109 for Argentina and Ali Daei with 108 for Iran.

Ronaldo’s 131 goals for Portugal dwarf the next closest Portuguese scorers:

• Pauleta: 47

• Eusébio: 41

• Luís Figo: 32

He's the only Portuguese male to have won over 150 caps, currently sitting at 213.

Tough Opponents: It’s ironic that Ronaldo’s 900th goal came at Benfica’s Estádio da Luz, a club he has faced five times without scoring. Lille (four games) and Albania and Turkey (both four games internationally) have also kept him at bay.

Favored Opponents: Sevilla is Ronaldo’s favorite target, with 27 goals scored against the Spanish side, followed by:

• Atlético Madrid: 23

• Barcelona: 20 (18 of which came in El Clásicos)

Versatility: Ronaldo has scored against 198 different opponents. He completed a unique feat by netting against Zamalek in August 2023, marking a goal against a team starting with every letter of the alphabet.

Teammates and Hat-Tricks: Karim Benzema tops the list of players assisting Ronaldo’s goals with 42 assists, followed by Gareth Bale and Mesut Özil with 27 each. Ronaldo has recorded 66 career hat-tricks, with his first coming in January 2008 against Newcastle United and his latest on May 4, 2024, for Al-Nassr against Al-Wehda.

Set Pieces and Finishing: While his free-kick prowess may have waned in recent years, Ronaldo has still scored 64 direct free-kicks and 164 penalties. His 152 headed goals nearly match the 173 he’s scored with his left foot. A total of 768 of his 900 goals have come inside the box, while 132 have been from outside, including those 64 free-kicks.

Ronaldo After 30: Even at 39 years old, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down, scoring 437 goals since turning 30 and 178 since he turned 35.

What’s Next? At 40 years old, Ronaldo could well feature in the 2026 World Cup, where he could break yet another record by becoming Portugal's oldest World Cup scorer.

Ronaldo’s extraordinary career continues to redefine what’s possible in football.

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Why Victor Osimhen chose Galatasaray over Chelsea, PSG, and Saudi offers

What Led to the Move? Osimhen had established himself as one of Europe’s elite strikers after his 26-goal haul in Napoli’s title-winning season, which earned him African Footballer of the Year and placed him eighth in the Ballon d'Or rankings. However, his form dipped in the following season, with injuries, suspensions, and managerial instability at Napoli all contributing to a disappointing return of just 12 goals. Napoli had three different managers throughout the season, and Osimhen's fractious relationship with coach Rudi Garcia, as well as Nigeria’s national team coach Finidi George, added to his troubles.

Despite these challenges, several European giants, including PSG and Chelsea, showed interest in the Nigerian forward during the summer of 2024. Napoli's insistence on a high fee and concerns about Osimhen's fitness and form, however, led to the collapse of potential deals with these clubs. His agent also made it clear that while Osimhen wanted to remain in Europe, he was not interested in a move to Saudi Arabia, signaling his desire to stay at the highest level.

As the summer transfer window neared its end, Galatasaray emerged as the only viable option. With the Turkish league’s window still open until September 18, and with Galatasaray looking to replace the injured Mauro Icardi, the Istanbul club moved swiftly to secure Osimhen's services on a season-long loan.

Why Galatasaray? The move to Galatasaray, though unconventional, provided Osimhen with an opportunity to continue playing in Europe, even if it was at a level below the Premier League or Ligue 1. Galatasaray offered European competition via the Europa League, and the Turkish side also afforded him the chance to work alongside experienced players like Dries Mertens, his former Napoli teammate. Additionally, Galatasaray could provide him with regular playing time, which was not guaranteed at Napoli, given their recruitment of Romelu Lukaku to replace him.

Osimhen also received a warm reception in Istanbul, where he was greeted as a star upon arrival. His idol, Didier Drogba, also played for Galatasaray during his career, adding sentimental value to the move. The Turkish champions were able to offer Osimhen €6 million in wages for the season, with Napoli covering his salary for the previous two months, making the deal financially feasible for the player and the club.

The Struggles That Preceded the Move: Osimhen’s decline in form was attributed to multiple factors beyond his control. Napoli's defensive frailty after the sale of key players, such as center-back Kim Min-jae, and the departure of coach Luciano Spalletti severely impacted their title defense. The team’s star winger, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, also experienced a dip in performance, which hindered Napoli’s overall attacking threat.

Osimhen’s individual statistics reflected his struggles, with his shots per 90 minutes, non-penalty expected goals (npxG), and overall output all dropping significantly. While his 2022-23 campaign saw him as an explosive and prolific forward, the 2023-24 season highlighted his inconsistency and susceptibility to injuries.

Looking Forward: Despite the surprising nature of his move to Galatasaray, Osimhen remains one of the top talents in European football. His time in Turkey could serve as a chance to rebuild his reputation and regain his sharpness ahead of a potential move back to a top-five league next summer. Galatasaray’s investment in him signals their belief that he can still be a difference-maker, and the Europa League offers him a platform to remind Europe’s elite clubs of his quality.

This stint in Istanbul could either be a stepping stone back to the top or a sign of Osimhen’s career taking an unexpected trajectory. Either way, it represents a crucial chapter for a player who, at just 25, still has a lot to offer.

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