From Sporting to Al Nassr: Ronaldo’s greatest moments in football

Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable football journey has been defined by record-breaking achievements, unforgettable goals and trophies across Europe’s biggest clubs. From his early days at Sporting CP to becoming a global superstar at Manchester United, Real Madrid and beyond, the Portuguese forward has enjoyed a career few players can match.

Now, as he brings his international career with Portugal to an end, the 41-year-old is turning his attention to Al-Nassr and one final historic ambition: reaching 1,000 career goals.

With 985 goals to his name, Ronaldo is just 15 away from the milestone. As he approaches another major chapter in his career, BBC Sport on Thursday takes a look back at some of the moments that helped make him one of football’s most celebrated players.

The friendly that changed everything

Ronaldo’s journey to global stardom began at Sporting CP, where his performances attracted the attention of Manchester United.

A pre-season friendly against United in Lisbon in 2003 proved decisive. Ronaldo impressed with his skill, speed and confidence, helping Sporting secure a 3-1 victory and setting up two goals.

His performance left United’s players so impressed that they urged manager Sir Alex Ferguson to sign him.

Five days later, Ronaldo completed a £12m move to Old Trafford, beginning a journey that would transform his career.

First Premier League title and rise to stardom

Although Ronaldo won the FA Cup during his first season at Manchester United, it was the 2006-07 campaign that announced his arrival among the world’s elite.

He scored 17 Premier League goals, won the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards, and helped United claim their first league title since his arrival.

The following season proved even more successful. Ronaldo scored 42 goals in all competitions, won another Premier League title and helped United lift the Champions League trophy, scoring in the final against Chelsea.

He also claimed his first Ballon d’Or in 2008.

The Porto wonder goal that won the Puskas Award

One of Ronaldo’s most memorable Manchester United moments came in April 2009 against Porto in the Champions League quarter-finals.

With United needing a goal to strengthen their chances of progressing, Ronaldo unleashed a stunning long-range strike from approximately 40 yards, sending the ball into the top corner.

The spectacular effort secured a 1-0 victory and earned him the inaugural FIFA Puskas Award for the best goal of the year.

It was one of his final major moments at Old Trafford before his record-breaking £80m move to Real Madrid later that year.

El Clasico winner delivers Copa del Rey glory

Ronaldo’s rivalry with Barcelona produced several unforgettable moments, but his extra-time winner in the 2011 Copa del Rey final remains one of his most significant achievements in Spain.

Against a Barcelona side led by Lionel Messi, Ronaldo rose above the defence to head home Angel Di Maria’s cross.

The goal secured a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid, ending their seven-year wait for the Copa del Rey trophy.

It was also the first time Ronaldo had scored the winning goal in a major cup final.

Ronaldo becomes Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer

In October 2015, Ronaldo reached another historic milestone when he became Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer.

His goal against Levante in a 3-0 La Liga victory took his tally to 324 goals in just 310 appearances, surpassing Raul’s previous record.

Ronaldo continued to rewrite the club’s history, eventually finishing his Madrid career with an astonishing 450 goals in 438 appearances.

He also helped the Spanish giants win two La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Euro 2016: The night Portugal made history

For all his individual achievements, international success remained one of the biggest ambitions of Ronaldo’s career.

That changed in 2016 when Portugal won their first European Championship, defeating hosts France 1-0 in the final in Paris.

Ronaldo was forced off in tears during the first half after suffering an injury, but continued to encourage his teammates from the touchline, effectively taking on an unofficial coaching role.

Portugal eventually secured victory through Eder’s extra-time strike.

Ronaldo finished the tournament with three goals and three assists and was named in the team of the tournament.

The triumph remains one of the defining moments of his international career.

Fifth Ballon d’Or and Champions League dominance

Ronaldo claimed his fifth Ballon d’Or in 2017 after another outstanding season with Real Madrid.

He scored twice in the Champions League final against Juventus as Madrid successfully defended their European title.

He also became the first player to score 100 Champions League goals, reaching the landmark with a hat-trick against Bayern Munich in the 2016-17 quarter-final.

In 2018, Ronaldo helped Madrid win their third consecutive Champions League trophy, becoming the first player to win the competition five times.

The bicycle kick that left Juventus applauding

One of the most spectacular goals of Ronaldo’s career came against Juventus in the 2018 Champions League quarter-finals.

Playing for Real Madrid, Ronaldo produced an extraordinary overhead kick, rising high above the Juventus defence before sending the ball into the net.

The goal stunned the stadium, with even Juventus supporters rising to applaud the Portuguese forward.

The moment became one of the most replayed goals in Champions League history.

Months later, Ronaldo would join Juventus, taking his career to another major European league.

Breaking the international goals record

Ronaldo continued making history with Portugal, eventually breaking Ali Daei’s long-standing record for the most international goals in men’s football.

In September 2021, two late headers against the Republic of Ireland took him beyond Daei’s record of 109 goals.

He continued adding to his tally, eventually finishing his Portugal career with 146 goals in 234 appearances.

He also became the men’s international football record appearance holder.

His international honours included the 2016 European Championship and the UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

The 900-goal milestone and the final challenge

In September 2024, Ronaldo became the first player to score 900 official senior career goals, reaching the landmark during Portugal’s victory over Croatia.

He continued scoring after moving to Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, adding to an extraordinary career that has also included spells at Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

Now sitting on 985 career goals, Ronaldo is just 15 away from reaching 1,000, a milestone no player has achieved in official senior football.

His retirement from Portugal duty marks the end of a 23-year international journey that began in August 2003.

Although his days representing his country are over, his pursuit of football history continues at Al-Nassr.

From the young winger who impressed Sir Alex Ferguson in Lisbon to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner who conquered Europe, Ronaldo has built a legacy defined by goals, trophies, records and unforgettable moments.

And with 1,000 goals within reach, one final chapter remains to be written.