Breaking down Cristiano Ronaldo’s 900 goals: Six teams, countless records and some iconic strikes along the way – after becoming the first player to reach the landmark, how exactly has he achieved it?

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in football history to reach 900 career goals on Thursday night when he bagged for Portugal against Croatia.

He reached the landmark with a typical Ronaldo goal, the icon lurking in at the back post to tap home a smart cross from the left from team-mate Rafael Leao.

The 39-year-old has recently spoken on how he refused to retire from international football on the back of Euro 2024, and is now seems set to lead his side into another major tournament in two years’ time.

How many goals he will end up on is anyone’s guess. Still playing regularly for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, he could be targeting 1000.

But how has he reached 900? And who for? Mail Sport breaks down the stats that have seen Ronaldo secure his status as one of the all time greats. 

He has scored goals for six different sides, winning a number of accolades along the way

Now playing for Al Nassr, he could be targeting 1000 by the time he chooses to retire from playing football

How?

Throughtout his career, Ronaldo has made a name for himself through his wicked right foot, boasting a rare technique that has allowed him to score all types of goals.

Perhaps his most famous with his right would be the 40-year free kick he bagged for Manchester United against Portsmouth in 2008. Or the overhead kick goal he struck for Real Madrid against Juventus in the 2017/18 season.

In total, Ronaldo has scored 573 of his 900 goals with his right foot. That’s 63.7 per cent of his total strikes.

With his left, there have been 173 efforts. That’s 19.2 per cent, and proves he can do it with both feet.

Another area of Ronaldo’s game that he excels in, however, is his heading. Everyone remembers his superhuman leap to score for Juventus against Sampdoria in 2019, which saw him jump to a height of 2.56meters, or 8ft 4ins.

Headed goals have attributed to 152 of his 900 goals. That’s 16.9 per cent, which is another impressive record.

Eagle eyed readers will notice that only adds up to 898. Two of Ronaldo’s strikes are categorised as ‘other’ – against West Ham in May 2008 when the ball bounced off his thigh, and versus Atletic Bilbao in 2014, when his hat-trick goal came via a deflection off his elbow from a Pepe shot.

Headed efforts have contributed to 152 of the forward’s career goals, with one particular strike for Juventus proving iconic

He managed 64 free kick goals in his career – a strike against Portsmouth in 2008 may be his best ever

Who for?

In his career, Ronaldo has turned out for a number of top European sides. Starting at Sporting Lisbon, he moved to Manchester United, before departing for Real Madrid for a then-world record fee of around £80million.

He then moved onto Juventus, and ended up at Al Nassr – via another pit stop in Manchester.

Breaking through at Sporting as a youngster, Ronaldo netted five goals in 31 games before moving to United.

Overall, he scored 145 times in 346 for the Red Devils in his two spells, with 118 coming in his first stay between 2003 and 2009 and 27 coming in the second between 2021 and 2023.

Remarkably, for Madrid – where his career truly took off in terms of achievements, he netted more than a goal a game. 450 strikes came in 438 games, a record that saw him pick up four Ballon d’Or titles – to go with his one from his time at United – and four Champions Leagues – adding to, again, his one at United.

His record wasn’t too bad with Juventus either. He bagged 101 goals in 134 games, and he’s not far off a one for one record at Al Nassr either, netting 62 in 68 so far.

When it comes to international football, Ronaldo is far out in front as Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, bagging 131 goals – 85 more than second place Pauleta.

The forward started his career at Sporting Lisbon, netting just five times before moving to Manchester United

He played for the Red Devils twice – his first stay proving to be much more successful than the second

He also netted over 100 goals for Juventus, where he played after leaving Real Madrid

Who against?

Unsurprisingly, due to the length of time he spent with Madrid – 2009 to 2018 – the top five teams that Ronaldo has scored the most goals against are Spanish.

Sevilla hold the award for most goals conceded to Ronaldo in his career with 27. Then it’s Atletico Madrid with 25, Getafe with 23 and Barcelona and Celta Vigo with 20 each.

In terms of Premier League teams, Tottenham are the only side in the top 20, conceding 14 to the forward.

Where?

When it comes to location, 479 of Ronaldo’s strikes have come at home – a little over 50 per cent.

361 have been away, and 60 – 6.7 per cent – at neutral venues, showing his ability to net in finals and international tournaments.

In terms of where on the pitch the goals have come from, 164 have been penalties. He has missed 30 spot kicks, equating to a 84.5 per cent conversion rate.

Though he somewhat became synonymous with free kicks in his career, he has only scored 64 as a player.

In total, 768 of his strikes have come inside the box, with 132 outside.

A complete breakdown of strikes shows how Ronaldo has reached 900 career goals as a player

What else?

• 97 of Ronaldo’s goals have come since he turned 37
• He netted 69 goals in the 2011-12 season – his most successful campaign
• He has netted 66 hat-tricks throughout his time as a player 
• Benfica is the team he has faced the most without scoring, with five games
• He has never scored against England in three appearances
• He is the record scorer in the Champions League, European Championship, European Championship qualifying, World Cup qualifying and Club World Cup