The 2025 Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai set the stage for yet another chapter in Cristiano Ronaldo’s storied career, as the Portuguese icon was crowned the Best Middle East Player on December 28. At 40 years old, Ronaldo continues to defy expectations, racking up goals, accolades, and headlines—even as he approaches what most would consider the twilight of a footballer’s career. The glitzy ceremony, attended by global sporting greats like Novak Djokovic, underscored Ronaldo’s enduring influence, not just in Europe, but in the rapidly rising Middle Eastern football scene.
Ronaldo’s latest honor comes as no surprise to those following his journey since his move to Al-Nassr in 2023. In 2025 alone, Ronaldo has found the back of the net 40 times for both club and country, an astonishing feat by any standard. His two-goal performance in a decisive 3-0 victory over Al Akhdoud to close out the year only served to reinforce his status as one of football’s most relentless goal machines. With a career tally now standing at 956, he’s just 44 goals shy of an almost mythical milestone—1,000 career goals.
“I will reach 1,000 goals for sure, if I stay injury-free,” Ronaldo declared confidently on stage in Dubai, drawing applause from the elite crowd and fueling speculation about how high he can push his personal records. According to the veteran forward, individual awards have never dulled his competitive edge. “My goal is still to score goals, win more trophies and keep pushing myself to achieve new personal targets,” he stated, making it clear that retirement is the last thing on his mind.
Since his high-profile arrival in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has become the face of the region’s footballing ambitions. His presence has not only elevated Al-Nassr’s on-field performance, but has also drawn unprecedented global attention to the Saudi Pro League. The numbers speak for themselves. In the 2025-26 league season, Ronaldo has bagged 12 goals in just 10 matches, sharing the top scorer’s spot with teammate Joao Felix. Al-Nassr, for their part, have been unstoppable—amassing 30 points from 10 straight wins and sitting comfortably atop the league standings as the year draws to a close.
Yet, for all his personal success, one prize has eluded Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia: the league title itself. Al-Nassr finished third in the 2024-25 campaign, trailing behind rivals Al-Hilal and champions Al-Ittihad, despite Ronaldo’s league-leading 25 goals that season. The frustration of missing out on the championship has only stoked his competitive fire. The club’s supporters—and Ronaldo himself—are hungry to turn statistical dominance into silverware.
Ronaldo’s impact on Al-Nassr and the Saudi Pro League extends well beyond goals and assists. In his four seasons with the club, he has netted 112 goals in 125 appearances across all competitions—a staggering strike rate that has set new benchmarks for both club and league. His leadership on and off the pitch has inspired teammates, attracted global stars to the region, and raised the competitive credibility of Middle Eastern football in the eyes of the world.
That influence was recognized in Dubai, where the Globe Soccer Awards highlighted not just Ronaldo’s on-field brilliance, but his broader significance to the sport’s growth in the region. The event itself was a celebration of sporting excellence, with Novak Djokovic among those honored. Ronaldo even presented Djokovic with the Globe Sports Award, symbolizing the intersection of global sporting icons and the region’s growing status as a hub for elite competition.
Despite all the accolades, Ronaldo remains laser-focused on the challenges ahead. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming, he has already contributed eight goals in nine matches for Portugal in 2025, helping his national team prepare for another shot at international glory. His contract with Al-Nassr runs through 2027, and with his 41st birthday approaching in February, he shows no sign of slowing down. The question on everyone’s mind: Can he really reach the 1,000-goal mark?
His recent form suggests it’s far from a pipe dream. Scoring 40 goals in a calendar year at age 40 is almost unheard of, but Ronaldo has made a career out of shattering records and redefining expectations. If he maintains his current pace, and with at least another full season and a half ahead, the historic milestone looks tantalizingly within reach.
Ronaldo’s journey has always been about more than numbers, though. From his early days dazzling at Sporting CP, to conquering England with Manchester United, rewriting history at Real Madrid, and adding silverware at Juventus, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in football. His move to Al-Nassr was initially met with skepticism by some, but he has silenced doubters by delivering on the pitch and inspiring a new generation of fans and players across the Middle East.
Yet, the Saudi Pro League title remains unfinished business. Al-Nassr’s perfect start to this campaign, powered by Ronaldo’s goals and leadership, has supporters dreaming of finally lifting the trophy. The club’s resurgence under his influence is a testament to the transformative power of a single superstar—but as Ronaldo himself would likely point out, football is a team game, and collective glory is the ultimate goal.
“My motivation is unchanged,” Ronaldo said during the Dubai ceremony. “I want to keep winning, keep scoring, and help my team achieve great things.” His words echo a sentiment that has defined his career: relentless ambition, unyielding work ethic, and an insatiable appetite for success.
As 2025 draws to a close, all eyes remain fixed on Ronaldo. Will he finally capture the elusive Saudi Pro League crown? Can he smash through the 1,000-goal barrier and etch his name even deeper into the annals of football history? If his recent exploits are any indication, betting against him would be unwise.
For now, Ronaldo stands atop the Middle Eastern football world, trophy in hand, goals piling up, and history beckoning just around the corner. The legend is still being written, one goal at a time.