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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
John Duerden

Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on 1,000 goals – but may be running out of games

Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal in their Asian Champions League round of 16 second leg against Esteghlal in March
Cristiano Ronaldo goes into this week’s Asian Champions League quarter-final in prolific form. Photograph: Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters

On Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo can take a big step towards a first major trophy since moving to Saudi Arabia but the quarter-final of the Asian Champions League against Yokohama F Marinos also offers a chance to take a smaller stride towards an unprecedented personal milestone: 1,000 first-class goals.

Pelé scored plenty but claims of 1,279, recognised by the Guinness World Records, included unofficial and exhibition games and perhaps, wondered Diego Maradona, backyard games against his nephews. The stats site RSSSF credits the Brazilian with a total of 778.

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