Cristiano Ronaldo has etched his name in the record books once again, adding another milestone to his illustrious career. With an astonishing 145th-headed goal, he now sits atop the charts for the most goals scored by headers in the history of soccer.
In a recent triumphant victory for Al-Nassr against Tunisian club Monastir in the Arab Club Champions Cup, Ronaldo showcased his trademark power and precision with a brilliant header in the 74th minute.
In achieving this remarkable feat, Ronaldo surpassed the legendary German player Gerd Muller, who held the record for the most headed goals at 144 throughout his illustrious career for West Germany and Bayern Munich. Muller’s retirement in 1981 solidified his record for decades, making Ronaldo’s achievement all the more remarkable as he finally broke the long-standing record.
Ronaldo for the header 🗼
And Alamri for the 3rd goal 🤩 pic.twitter.com/oBQlizQoij— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) July 31, 2023
The ascent to the top of the header goals chart also meant surpassing two other soccer legends, Carlos Santillana of Spain and the iconic Brazilian Pele, who both rank in the top 4 for this record.
Santillana’s career saw him score an impressive 125 header goals, with the majority of these coming during his time with Real Madrid and Spain’s national team in the 1970s and 1980s.
On the other hand, Pele, the eternal Brazilian maestro, netted 124 header goals for Santos, The New York Cosmos at the club level, and Brazil’s national team from 1956 to 1971.
Interestingly, Gerd Muller retains his position as second for ‘Players with the Most Headed Goals at the FIFA World Cup’.
Muller’s impressive tally of five goals in the 1970 and 1974 editions of the tournament places him just behind Miroslav Klose of Germany, who holds the record with seven headed goals in World Cups.
Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored in 22 consecutive seasons
From breaking records to achieving new milestones, Cristiano Ronaldo’s exceptional header against Monastir extended his incredible feat to an astounding 22 consecutive seasons of scoring goals.
Ronaldo’s goal-scoring journey began back in the 2002/03 season when he netted his first goal during his early years at Sporting Lisbon. It was a memorable solo run that saw him convert his chance against Moreirense FC.
22 consecutive seasons with a goal. Simply incredible. https://t.co/OdzVLlXzMI
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) July 31, 2023
Since that start, the Portuguese sensation has consistently found the back of the net for an impressive 22 seasons. His goal-scoring prowess has graced renowned clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, as well as the Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, and of course, Portugal’s national team.
What sets Ronaldo apart is not just his innate talent but also his relentless drive and unmatched fitness level. At 38 years old, he continues to defy age and expectations, still exhibiting the hunger and determination that have become hallmarks of his game.
While legendary figures like Pele and Maradona retired at the ages of 36 and 37, respectively, Ronaldo shows no sign of slowing down. His remarkable longevity and sustained brilliance make him an eternal force in the world of soccer.