Cristiano Ronaldo may have an added motivation to continue his career beyond the 2026-2027 season. According to Sergio Agüero, a former Argentine international and teammate of Lionel Messi, Ronaldo's proximity to scoring 1,000 goals could encourage him to play for another year. Currently, at 41 years old, Ronaldo has scored 979 goals in his professional career. He recently scored against Abha with Al-Nassr, bringing him closer to his goal.
Agüero believes Ronaldo has a realistic chance of reaching 1,000 goals. In an interview with Stake, Agüero mentioned that he doesn't know how much longer Ronaldo plans to play, but thinks 21 goals are within his reach. He compares Ronaldo's situation to Messi's, stating that both players remain capable of scoring when on the field. Agüero notes that Ronaldo's offensive consistency could work in his favor.
Agüero shared his thoughts on Ronaldo's potential career extension. If he were in Ronaldo's shoes, he would choose to play another season to try and reach 1,000 goals. However, Agüero emphasized that he doesn't know if Ronaldo is actually considering this option. Ronaldo's contract with Al-Nassr runs until 2027, which adds context to Agüero's hypothesis.
Ronaldo's current contract with Al-Nassr, signed in June 2025, will keep him with the Saudi club until 2027. Despite this, Ronaldo hinted in an interview with Vogue in August that the 2026-2027 season might be his last. This leaves open the possibility of a contract extension beyond 2027. Agüero's comments are based on Ronaldo's proximity to 1,000 goals, rather than any official announcement.
Ronaldo's international career also remains relevant. The new Portuguese national team coach, Jorge Jesus, has included Ronaldo in his first squad for the upcoming Nations League matches, despite his 41 years. This indicates that Ronaldo continues to be an important player for Portugal. Agüero thinks that reaching 1,000 goals could influence Ronaldo's decision about his future.
Agüero personally prefers round numbers and believes that being close to 1,000 goals could give Ronaldo an extra reason to continue playing. Ronaldo had previously confirmed that the 2026 World Cup would be his last. However, his inclusion in the Portuguese squad suggests that he is still committed to international football at this stage of the season.
Ultimately, Agüero's comments highlight the possibility that Ronaldo may extend his career to achieve the milestone of 1,000 goals. While there is no official confirmation from Ronaldo or his representatives, Agüero's hypothesis is based on Ronaldo's current form and his contract situation. The next few months will likely provide clarity on Ronaldo's plans for the future.
Key points
- Sergio Agüero thinks Cristiano Ronaldo may extend his career to reach 1,000 goals.
- Cristiano Ronaldo currently has 979 goals in his professional career.
- Ronaldo's contract with Al-Nassr runs until 2027.
