Aguero backs Ronaldo to reach 1,000 career goals despite uncertain future

Sergio Aguero believes Cristiano Ronaldo can score the 21 goals he needs to reach 1,000 in his career, although the former Argentina striker is unsure whether the Al Nassr forward will continue playing beyond this season.

Ronaldo, 41, has scored 979 goals in professional football and moved to Al Nassr in January 2023. The Portugal captain is now within reach of a landmark that would require him to find the net 21 more times.

“I don’t know how long he will play for, but he only needs 21 more goals,” Aguero said in an interview with Stake, reported by Sportskeeda. “He can definitely do it.”

Aguero, who won the Premier League five times with Manchester City, said Ronaldo’s continued ability to score regularly meant the target remained realistic.

“I don’t know what Ronaldo’s plans are when the season ends, or whether he will continue for another season,” he said. “Scoring goals is not easy, but he does it consistently. He is like Lionel Messi. Whenever he is on the pitch, there is a good chance he will score.”

“If he continues for another season, I think he can achieve it,” Aguero added. “I don’t know whether he intends to carry on, but because he is so close, perhaps he will try.”

Aguero said he would be tempted to extend his career if he were in Ronaldo’s position.

“If I were Cristiano, I would think: ‘That’s it, I have no choice but to continue for another year.’ Then we will see whether it happens,” he said. “If it does not, it does not matter. He should still be extremely proud because scoring that number of goals is almost impossible.”

Aguero also compared Ronaldo’s record with that of his former Barcelona rival Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami.

“The same applies to Leo,” Aguero said. “Their numbers cannot be compared.”

He added: “I would continue because I prefer round numbers, such as 1,000 or 900. I don’t know whether it is superstition – what we call ‘cabala’ in Argentina – or whether he dislikes odd numbers and wants to finish on an even number. I don’t know.”

Ronaldo has made a slower start to the 2026-27 season than usual, scoring three goals in seven appearances for Al Nassr so far. That followed another three goals in five matches for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup, held last summer.

Jorge Jesus, who coached Al Nassr last season, included Ronaldo in his first Portugal squad after being appointed manager of the national team.

Ronaldo is expected to return for Al Nassr’s league match against Al-Diriyah on 9 October. He has scored 132 goals in 155 appearances for the Saudi club since joining three and a half years ago.