Ronaldo scores 900th career goal as Portugal defeats Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal as Portugal defeated Croatia in the 2024 UEFA Nations League.

Ronaldo scored his landmark goal in the 34th minute in Lisbon to secure a 2-1 win for Roberto Martinez’s team.

Roberto Martinez’s side led inside seven minutes through Diogo Dalot, after receiving a beautiful assist from Bruno Fernandes.

Ronaldo doubled the lead, as the Portugal captain turned in Nuno Mendes’ cross for his milestone goal. The 39-year-old had forced a brilliant reflex save out of Dominik Livakovic before getting his goal.

Dalot, who scored the first goal, scored an own goal to give Croatia hopes. However, Ronaldo’s close range goal was enough to secure the victory.

Ronaldo was already the top scorer in the history of the game, and international football’s record goalscorer added another to his remarkable tally to hit the 900 mark. It was his 131st for his country.

The rest of his goals includes; 450 for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 131 at Juventus, 68 for Al-Nassr, and five at Sporting CP.

Ronaldo seemed to be in tears of joy while celebrating. He was taken off late on and was given a standing ovation.

Expressing his joy after the game over the victory and achievement, he stated that records haunt him, while also giving credits to his team matres for his achievements.

Speaking to the Portuguese media, he said, “It was an exciting goal for me. It’s a round number. Only I know how hard it is to work every day to score your 900th goal. It’s a unique milestone in my career. I don’t break records… they haunt me!”

“As you know, I’m already 39 and a half years old and so you have to be very focused for things to go well,” he explained. “To be at this level requires a lot of dedication. So, when these little records happen, small, big, I get emotional because I know and value what I do, and my teammates, because obviously without my team-mates this would be unthinkable.”

The 2019 Nations League winners, will welcome Scotland on Sunday in Lisbon for the second game.  Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia side will look to bounce back against Poland in Osijek.