Ronaldo holds the goal record for 24 consecutive years, can Messi beat it?

Ronaldo scores in first match of the year | Photo: Facebook

It is often heard that someone scores goals year after year. But the fact that someone has scored goals for 24 consecutive years is incredible. 

However, if the name is Cristiano Ronaldo, then nothing is impossible. Ronaldo scored in Al Nasr's 3-1 win over Al Akhdaud in the Saudi Pro League last night, making the Portuguese legend the first player in history to score goals for 24 consecutive years.

Ronaldo scored his first goal for Sporting Lisbon in 2002. Since then, he has scored every year since. The latest addition was last night's goal. Al Nasr took to the field for the first time in the new year yesterday. 

Ronaldo scored the historic goal from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute of the match. After starting the year with a goal, Ronaldo wrote on social media, 'The best way to start the year.'

Ronaldo scored 5 goals in his first year as a professional in 2002. The following year, Ronaldo impressed Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and moved to Old Trafford. That year, Ronaldo scored 13 goals.

After that, he never looked back. Ronaldo's goal tally only grew with each passing year. When he left England in 2009, Ronaldo had scored 118 goals in 292 matches.

Ronaldo after the milestone goal | Photo: Reuters

Ronaldo became even more prolific after moving from United to Real Madrid. The 'CR 7' achieved incredible success, especially between 2011 and 2013. During this time, Ronaldo became a goal machine on his way to competing with his arch-rival Lionel Messi.

After that, Ronaldo's hunger for goals did not decrease even after changing clubs and countries. Currently, at the age of almost 40, the Al Nasr star continues to score goals like a young man. Last year, Ronaldo scored 43 goals. And this time, he opened the scoring book at the beginning of the year.

Messi and Ronaldo have been fighting for various records in football for a long time. However, it is unlikely that Messi will break Ronaldo's record of scoring goals for 24 consecutive years. Messi scored his first goal in May 2005.

Now, to touch Ronaldo's record, Messi will have to score goals until 2028. At that time, Messi will be 41 years old. Unless something dramatic happens, it will be very difficult for Messi to continue playing until 2028. As a result, Ronaldo's record may eventually remain elusive for Messi.

Starting the year with goals is important for Ronaldo in another way. Whether Ronaldo can finally reach the 1,000-goal milestone or not could be determined by the number of goals he scores this year. After last night, Ronaldo's goal tally is now 917. That means Ronaldo needs to score 83 more goals.

In such a situation, to set a milestone, Ronaldo will have to score at least 50-60 goals this year. If everything goes well after that, he might be able to set the record in 2026. At first glance, the task seems impossible. But when the name is Ronaldo, there is no chance to say the end before the end.