Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Stunning Free-Kick Leaves Goalkeeper in Awe
Cristiano Ronaldo, the star forward of Al-Nassr, showcased his brilliance once again by scoring his 899th career goal with a magnificent free-kick in the Saudi Pro League. Although Ronaldo is known as one of the greatest footballers ever, seeing him score directly from a free-kick has become somewhat of a rarity in recent years. His attempts from such set-pieces often miss the target, but that was not the case on Tuesday. When Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr faced off against Al-Feiha, the Portuguese legend delivered an exceptional performance. While scoring goals is something Ronaldo does with relative ease, his recent form in converting free-kicks had seen a dip. However, he seemed to rediscover his touch against Al-Feiha.
This free-kick goal brought Ronaldo tantalizingly close to the 900-goal milestone, with just one more needed to reach that historic mark. At the international level, Ronaldo has already netted 130 goals for Portugal, making him the all-time leading scorer in international football.
Ronaldo’s technique for this free-kick was particularly interesting. At 39 years old, Ronaldo typically lines up a few paces back and powers his shots towards goal. This time, however, he opted for precision over power, placing the ball with such accuracy that goalkeeper Abdulraouf Al-Duqayl had no chance to react. It was a masterclass in finesse, marking Ronaldo’s 64th career goal from a free-kick.
In club football, this was Ronaldo’s 53rd goal from a free-kick, putting him just one behind his long-time rival Lionel Messi’s tally. On the international stage, both Messi and Ronaldo have scored 11 free-kick goals each. Here’s another view of Ronaldo’s exceptional goal:
In a recent interview, Ronaldo discussed his aspiration to reach the 1000-goal milestone. Currently at 899 goals, Ronaldo acknowledges the challenge ahead and knows he will need his body to continue supporting him if he is to achieve this incredible feat.
“It will be tough, but it depends on my mental state and motivation. Physically, if my legs respond well to the way I take care of them, then we’ll see. It’s about setting small goals. Before I get to 1000, I first need to reach 900. I believe I will,” Ronaldo remarked about his pursuit of the record.
Ronaldo reflected on his career achievements, stating, “If you look at my career over the last 20 years, maintaining a high level is remarkable. To be at the top for two decades is extraordinary, and I continue to strive for that. For me, it’s a significant accomplishment.”
Ronaldo’s 899th career goal played a pivotal role in Al-Nassr’s commanding 4-1 victory over Al-Feiha.
Also Read: WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Record 50th Goal as Al Nassr Draws with Al Raed