Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has expressed full confidence that Cristiano Ronaldo can reach the remarkable milestone of 1000 career goals, praising the forward’s current form and unmatched determination.
Ronaldo, who currently has 955 career goals, has scored 25 goals for Portugal under Martinez since the coach took over in March 2023. Despite the pursuit of records, Martinez highlighted that Ronaldo’s approach is not about milestones but about giving his best every day.
Speaking to MARCA, Martinez said: “He is in a very good moment of his career. He achieved this because he lives day by day. When he talks about his goals, he strays far from the long term, reaching 1000, playing a certain number of games… His secret is to be the best today and enjoy the day-to-day. So, the number will be a consequence of the day he decides to stop. I don’t think it’s a goal.”
On Ronaldo’s current form, Martinez was quick to clarify that the credit lies entirely with the forward. “The percentage he talks about has a lot to do with his change of position. We are talking about a player who started as a very skilled winger and is now another reference player inside the area. Cristiano conditions the opponent: when he is on the field, space opens up because two players are attentive to his marking.”
Martinez’s comments underline Ronaldo’s enduring influence on the pitch, not just as a goal scorer but as a tactical force who shapes games simply by his presence. With his focus firmly on daily performance rather than records, Ronaldo’s journey to 1000 goals appears not only achievable but a natural result of his legendary work ethic.