Unstoppable, Ronaldo breaks a 64-year-old historic record

Cristiano Ronaldo closed the year 2025 by setting a new historic milestone, shattering a goal-scoring record that stood for 64 years, continuing to prove his exceptional scoring ability after turning 30.

Cristiano Ronaldo finished 2025 by reaffirming his elite level at the highest stage, while continuously boosting his remarkable goal-scoring achievements. With the goal he scored for Al Nassr earlier this week, the Portuguese superstar broke a 64-year-old scoring record previously held by an English football legend.

In Al Nassr’s final match of 2025, the team traveled to face Al Ettifaq in the 12th round of the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League season. In a late attempt to score, João Félix took a shot that deflected off Ronaldo’s back and went straight into the net, securing a 2-2 draw. That goal not only earned Al Nassr a point but also opened a historic milestone in Ronaldo’s illustrious career.

With this goal, Ronaldo officially surpassed Ronnie Rooke to become the player with the most goals scored after turning 30. The Portuguese striker has now increased his total to 494 goals, one more than Rooke’s 493. Following closely is Brazilian legend Romário with 451 goals, and in fourth place is Czech star Josef Bican with 446 goals.

Ronnie Rooke was regarded as one of the most prolific scorers in English football history while also serving as a fitness coach for the Royal Air Force. During his career, Rooke played for notable clubs such as Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Arsenal, and even appeared once for the England national team in a friendly against Wales in 1942.

Afterward, Rooke continued scoring consistently in the lower tiers of English football until retiring in 1961, when he took on the role of player-manager at Bedford. In total, Rooke ended his career with 493 goals, a record that stood firm for over six decades before being surpassed by Ronaldo. And since Ronaldo is still playing at the top level, the Al Nassr star can certainly raise this mark even higher in 2026 as he approaches his 41st birthday.

Lionel Messi, who scored more goals than Ronaldo in 2025, has long been seen as the greatest rival in the Portuguese superstar’s career, even as both enter their final career stages. However, when looking solely at goals scored after turning 30, Messi clearly falls short compared to Ronaldo.

Since turning 30, Messi has scored a total of 331 goals, including 165 for Barcelona, 32 for Paris Saint-Germain, 77 for Inter Miami, and 57 for the Argentina national team. Although Messi, two years younger than Ronaldo, achieved this in just 436 appearances—significantly fewer than Ronaldo’s 583 matches—the gap between the two stars remains substantial.

As for Ronaldo, his post-30 goal tally includes 162 for Real Madrid, 101 for Juventus, 27 during his return to Manchester United, 113 for Al Nassr, and 91 for the Portuguese national team. With a total of 494 goals scored after his 30th birthday, Ronaldo has set a benchmark that successors may take years to reach, further highlighting a magnificent milestone in his legendary career.