Soccer
Cristiano Ronaldo outlines retirement plan after stunning bicycle kick
The Portugal captain scored a brace against Poland but CR7 acknowledged that he is approaching the end of his professional career.
Throughout his career, motivation has never been an issue for Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portugal star may be 39 but he remains insatiable, scoring a brace for the national team in a 5-1 win over Poland on Friday. That takes CR7 to five goals in five Nations League games this year. Across his stellar career, he’s up to an incredible 910 goals.
He remains a key player for Portugal and an impressive physical specimen - evidenced by his second goal on Friday, an acrobatic bicycle kick - but speaking after the game the topic of his future was raised.
“I just want to enjoy. The plan for retirement? If it has to happen, in one or two years… I don’t know," the Portugal captain replied.
“I’m turning 40 soon… I really want to enjoy, as long as I feel motivated I keep going. The day I don’t feel motivated, I will retire.”
Earlier this week Ronaldo reflected on his previously stated goal of becoming the first player to hit 1,000 competitive goals, a milestone that would rank among the greatest achievements in any sport. He turns 40 next February but you still wouldn’t bet against him making that fantastical figure.
How many goals did Pelé score?
Brazilian legend Pelé long held the record for the most competitive goals, before his total of 762 goals was overtaken by CR7 and Lionel Messi. The iconic Brazilian led his nation to three World Cup triumphs and was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999. Pelé held the title of soccer’s leading scorer for more than 40 years before being overtaken by Ronaldo.
Each player’s goal tally is chronicled by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), which acts as soccer’s global record-keeper. They include only competitive fixtures for recognised teams and national sides in their database but Pele, along with many others, have scored many more goals across their entire career.
Including friendlies and non-official touring games, Pele holds the Guinness World Record for Most Career Goals. He is credited with 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, including a frankly absurd 126 in the year 1959.
Making comparisons between eras is a difficult and thankless task. Comparing the validity of fixtures a century apart is essentially impossible and ignores the sweeping changes seen in soccer across the ages. What is clear, however, is that all three are very deserving of their place in soccer’s folklore.
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