Ronaldo Hits Hat-Trick to Move Within 15 Goals of 1,000

Cristiano Ronaldo has moved closer to the historic 1,000-career-goal milestone after scoring a hat-trick to inspire Al-Nassr to a 5–3 victory over Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday.

The Portuguese forward took his career tally to 985 goals, leaving him just 15 strikes away from the landmark he has repeatedly expressed his ambition to reach.

Ronaldo delivered his goals in a sensational 15-minute spell in the second half, scoring in the 66th, 72nd and 81st minutes. His performance helped Al-Nassr turn a fiercely contested encounter into a decisive victory.

The 41-year-old had two goals ruled out for offside in the first half before finding the net three times after the break. The hat-trick was his seventh for Al-Nassr and the 67th of his career, according to ESPN’s goal tracker.

Ronaldo has continued to score consistently for club and country despite being in the latter stages of his playing career. Reaching 1,000 official senior career goals would represent another extraordinary achievement in a career already defined by numerous individual records.

With 985 goals now to his name, attention will turn to how quickly the five-time Ballon d’Or winner can reach the four-figure mark.

For Ronaldo, the target is now closer than ever, with just 15 goals standing between him and one of football’s most remarkable milestones.