Cristiano Ronaldo has reached a remarkable milestone of 900 career goals, prompting Guinness World Records to honor him as the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) on social media.
In a recent post, the organization used a GOAT emoji to highlight the ongoing debate surrounding his legendary status in football.
Ronaldo’s 900th goal was a significant moment in both international and club football, further distinguishing him from rivals like Lionel Messi. The record was achieved during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League opener against Croatia, where he volleyed home a cross from Nuno Mendes, leading his team to a 2-1 victory.
In a post on X, Guinness World Records quoted a BBC tweet celebrating the milestone, stating, “900 career goals for Cristiano Ronaldo. Incredible. #BBCFootball.” Since its inception in 1955, the organization has been the global authority on record-breaking achievements.
Social media reactions have been varied. User @ChessLordK remarked, “Even Guinness World Records knows the GOAT,” while another user, @Famous_999_, humorously suggested a change in the organization’s administration. Other commenters have sparked debates, with some referencing Pelé’s World Cup successes in comparison to Ronaldo’s goal count.
The conversation around goal-scoring records continues, especially when considering Pelé’s celebrated career. A December 2022 article by the Associated Press noted the ongoing debates regarding Pelé’s official goal tally, which some sources claim exceeds 1,000 when including friendlies. However, FIFA’s records show fewer than 800 competitive goals.
Despite these discussions, Pelé’s impact on the sport is universally acknowledged. His incredible ability to score during a time when statistics were less rigorously tracked remains a topic of fascination.
As it stands, Ronaldo has scored 900 goals in 1,236 games since beginning his professional career in 2001, making him the highest scorer in football history. Lionel Messi trails with 838 goals in 1,069 matches, while other legends like Josef Bican and Romário have also made their marks with impressive tallies.
This milestone not only reinforces Ronaldo’s place in football history but also ignites ongoing discussions about greatness in the sport.