Cristiano Ronaldo Surpasses 965 Career Goals, Al Nassr Claims League Lead
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to redefine footballing history, reaching a remarkable 965 career goals as Al Nassr secured the top spot in the Saudi Pro League standings with a dominant 5-0 victory over Al Najma on February 24, 2026. The win places Al Nassr ahead of Al-Ahli Saudi with 58 points, while Al Hilal, featuring Karim Benzema, trails in third place.
Ronaldo’s Milestone and New Celebration
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a penalty, marking his 965th goal in professional football. This achievement further solidifies his position as the all-time leading goalscorer, 35 goals shy of reaching the unprecedented milestone of 1,000 goals. Lionel Messi currently stands as his closest competitor with 896 goals.
Notably, Ronaldo debuted a new goal celebration during the match, replacing his iconic “Siiiuuu” with a series of compact jumps and a raised, bent right arm. The reason behind this change remains unknown.
Match Details and Al Nassr’s Dominance
Al Nassr’s victory was comprehensive, with Kingsley Coman (31′), Sadio Mané (52′), and a brace from defender Iñigo Martínez (42′ and 80′) contributing to the scoreline. This performance underscores Al Nassr’s ambition to challenge for the league title.
The Saudi Pro League Landscape
The Saudi Pro League has seen significant investment in recent years, attracting high-profile players like Ronaldo, Benzema, and Neymar. Al Hilal, backed by substantial financial resources, has been a major force, but Al Nassr, under the guidance of Jorge Jesus, is determined to close the gap.
Economic Disparities in the League
Coach Jorge Jesus has openly acknowledged the economic disparity between Al Nassr and Al Hilal, stating that Al Hilal benefits from greater financial power. He emphasized that Al Nassr must find ways to compete effectively despite having fewer resources. ESPN reported on Jesus’s comments on February 16, 2026, highlighting the challenges Al Nassr faces in competing with financially stronger clubs.
Jesus, who previously managed Al Hilal, understands the advantages of greater financial backing. He aims to reduce the gap between the two clubs in terms of titles and points. World Soccer Talk similarly covered Jesus’s statements on February 17, 2026.
Top Goalscorers in Football History
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 965 goals
- Lionel Messi – 896 goals
- Josef Bican – 805 goals
- Pelé – 770 goals
- Romário – 761 goals
- Ferenc Puskás – 760 goals
- Robert Lewandowski – 711 goals
- Erwin Helmchen – 702 goals
- Jimmy Jones – 659 goals
- Abe Lenstra – 645 goals
- Gerd Müller – 640 goals
- Joe Bambrick – 634 goals
- Fernando Peyroteo – 610 goals
- Max Morlock – 609 goals
- Luis Suárez – 600 goals