Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 900th goal of his illustrious career in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League group stage match against Croatia in Lisbon on Thursday, Report informs via CNN.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner tapped in a volley from a Nuno Mendes cross in the 34th minute of the first half to double Portugal’s lead in the 2-1 victory. An emotional Ronaldo celebrated the goal by holding out his arms as he raced to the corner of the pitch before placing his hands on his face and dropping to the ground.
Ronaldo’s goal was his 131st for Portugal, which extended his record for most international goals in world football. In addition to his 769 goals scored in his club career, the Portugal captain becomes the first men’s player in history to score 900 goals in official matches.
“It means a lot,” Ronaldo said after the game, according to the Associated Press.
“It was a milestone I wanted to reach for a long time. I knew I would reach this number, because as I continue to play, it would happen naturally.”
The 39-year-old was also the first men’s player in history to score 800 goals for club and country, according to the Olympics.