1,000 career goals?
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Cristiano Ronaldo will always attract headlines given his status across the world and speculation has raged around his future recently. The Portugal international’s contract at Al-Nassr expires this summer and he was erroneously linked with a move to PSG, despite repeatedly criticising the standard of Ligue 1.
Ronaldo, however, appears destined to commit his future to Al-Nassr in an eye-watering deal that will ensure he remains the highest paid player in the world. It’s understood that an announcement is imminent with Ronaldo agreeing terms on a one-year extension that will see him net around €185 million annually, according to Marca. His mooted deal equates to €15m per month, €3.8m per week and €550k per day. But it has been reported that Ronaldo will also be offered a minority ownership in Al-Nassr to signify his importance to the project and the Real Madrid and Manchester United legend has recently spoken about his future in football.
In a recent interview at the Globe Soccer Awards in December, Ronaldo hinted that he could own a club in the future. “I’m not a coach,” he said. “I’m never going to be a coach, president of the club? No. Maybe the owner of the club.If I will be the owner of the club, I will make things clear and adjust what I think is bad there.” Ronaldo has increased the profile of the Saudi Pro League significantly more than any other player and he’s already been influential in major decisions at Al-Nassr.
While Ronaldo’s impending acquisition of an ownership stake at Al-Nassr is an indication of his future intentions in football, the 39-year-old isn’t quite ready to hang up his boots. Ronaldo’s target is to score 1,000 professional goals but he’s even accepted himself recently that may not be obtainable. Speaking in November, Ronaldo said: “One thousand goals is great, but if it doesn’t come, I’m already the player in history with the most goals.” Ronaldo has scored at an impressive rate at Al-Nassr with 75 goals in 84 games but he’d realistically need to play for several more seasons to reach the 1,000 landmark and that looks very unlikely as he approaches his 40th birthday – a swansong at the 2026 World Cup with Portugal could bring down the curtain on his phenomenal playing career.
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