Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses Zlatan Ibrahimovic with latest goal as Al-Nassr star breaks historic record after 25 consecutive seasons

Cristiano Ronaldo has opened the new campaign with another milestone that adds to an already extraordinary career, scoring in Al-Nassr’s convincing 4-0 victory over Al-Riyadh on Friday. The Portuguese forward needed only 20 minutes to find the net, but the significance of the goal went far beyond the scoreline.

At 41, Ronaldo continues to produce numbers that would be remarkable for a player in his prime. His latest strike moved his career tally to 977 goals and added another extraordinary chapter to a run that began more than two decades ago.

The superstar veteran made his first competitive appearance of the 2026-27 season against Al-Riyadh and quickly reminded everyone why he remains one of soccer’s most prolific scorers. Coming off the bench, the Portuguese needed just 20 minutes to get on the scoresheet as Al-Nassr secured its second consecutive Saudi Pro League victory.

The goal came during a dominant performance from Ange Postecoglou‘s players, who eventually completed a 4-0 victory. For Ronaldo, however, the personal significance of the strike was arguably even greater than the result, as it continued a scoring run that has stretched across an astonishing portion of his career.

L’Équipe highlighted that Ronaldo had scored for the 25th consecutive season, while ESPN also confirmed that the 2026-27 campaign represents his 25th professional season since his breakthrough at Sporting CP. L’Équipe also reported that the goal was Ronaldo’s 977th career strike.

The historic record finally revealed

That latest goal means Ronaldo has become the first player in history to score in 25 consecutive seasons. His remarkable streak began during the 2002-03 season with Sporting CP, when he scored his first professional goals, and it has continued through every chapter of his career.

The achievement moves Ronaldo beyond another legendary goalscorer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish legend had previously held the record after scoring in 24 consecutive seasons, from 1999-2000 through 2022-23.

Ronaldo’s sequence has survived several major changes in his career, from Sporting CP to Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus before his move to Al-Nassr. The fact that the streak has remained intact across different leagues, clubs and generations is what makes the milestone particularly remarkable.

His first professional goal came for Sporting CP on October 7, 2002, and more than 24 years later, he is still adding to the sequence. AS recalled how that first strike helped begin what would eventually become one of the most decorated and prolific careers soccer has ever seen.

Another milestone as Ronaldo chases 1,000 goals

The timing of the record is also significant because Ronaldo is approaching another potentially historic landmark. His goal against Al-Riyadh took his career total to 977, leaving him only 23 goals short of 1,000.

Ronaldo has previously suggested that the 2026-27 season could be his final campaign, meaning the pursuit of four figures has taken on even greater importance. The Portuguese captain has repeatedly spoken about his desire to reach the milestone, and every goal now brings him closer.