Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at the possibility of returning to European football, despite currently starring for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, as he pursues a career-defining milestone: 1,000 goals for club and country.
The 40-year-old Portuguese icon, who remains one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the game, has scored 956 official goals across his club and international career and continues to demonstrate remarkable scoring form with Al-Nassr. He recently reached this tally after scoring twice in a 3–0 win over Al-Okhdood in the Saudi Pro League.
Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards 2025 in Dubai, where he was named Best Middle East Player, Ronaldo underlined his enduring passion for the sport and his continued hunger for success, regardless of where he plays. “It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe,” he said, reinforcing that his goal tally and love of football outweigh any geographical preference.
Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr runs until 2027, and he is also preparing to lead Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. While he has previously stated that European competition may not be part of his future, his recent remarks have sparked renewed speculation that a European return—even briefly—could be on the cards if it helps his quest toward 1,000 goals.
If he achieves his target, Ronaldo would become the first player in the modern era—and only the second in history alongside Brazil’s Pelé—to reach four figures in official competitive goals, a feat that would further cement his legacy as one of the greatest finishers the game has ever seen.
With Ronaldo showing no signs of slowing down and still scoring at a remarkable rate in Saudi Arabia, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see whether Europe could welcome the five-time Ballon d’Or winner back to its leagues before he finally hangs up his boots
