Chasing Time: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Long Road to the Oldest Goalscorer Record in Saudi Arabia

At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy expectations, adding another goal to his tally while leading Al Nassr to a 2–0 victory over Al Fateh in the 2025–2026 Saudi Pro League season. His opening goal in that match highlighted that his instinct in front of goal remains sharp, even as most players of his generation have long since retired.

The strike added to an already remarkable record since his arrival in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Ronaldo has maintained a steady scoring pace, building an impressive total of league and overall goals for the club while continuing to push his career tally closer to unprecedented numbers. His consistency reflects not only technical quality but also an extraordinary level of physical conditioning and discipline that has allowed him to stay competitive well into his forties.

Despite that productivity, one milestone still lies far ahead. Ronaldo is currently only the third-oldest goalscorer in the league’s history. The second position belongs to Hussein Abdulghani, while the record itself is held by Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who scored for Al Taawoun at nearly 45 years of age. To surpass that mark, Ronaldo would need to keep playing and scoring for almost four more years.

Reaching that point would demand more than physical endurance. Remaining at the top level requires motivation, careful management of fitness, and the willingness to adapt to a changing role within a team. Ronaldo has occasionally hinted that retirement may not be too far away, which makes the timeline for breaking the record uncertain.

There is, however, another personal ambition that could influence his decision to extend his career. Ronaldo has often spoken about the possibility of playing professionally alongside his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., who is approaching the age where a professional debut could become realistic. For now, his priority remains helping Al Nassr compete at the top of the league while continuing to add goals to a legacy that already stands among the most remarkable in modern football.