Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes First Footballer to Score 40+ Goals in 14 Calendar Years, Surpasses Messi

Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo created history on Saturday by becoming the first player in world football to score 40 or more goals in 14 different calendar years, overtaking long-time rival Lionel Messi in the elite list.

Ronaldo achieved the milestone during Saudi Pro League clash between Al Nassr and Al Akhdoud, where Al Nassr registered a 3–0 win to secure their 10th consecutive league victory and retain a four-point lead at the top of the table over Al Hilal.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored twice in the 31st and stoppage-time minutes of the first half, demonstrating trademark positioning and finishing inside the penalty area. João Félix added a third goal late in stoppage time to seal the win at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh.

With the brace, Ronaldo took his goal tally for 2025 to 40 goals—32 scored at club level and eight for Portugal—along with four assists. This marks the 14th calendar year in which the 40-year-old has reached the 40-goal mark, surpassing Messi, who has achieved the feat 13 times.

Among players in the 21st century, no one else has reached the milestone more than nine times. Robert Lewandowski follows with nine such seasons, while Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have achieved it five times each.

Ronaldo has also scored 60 or more goals in four separate calendar years between 2011 and 2014—another record unmatched by any other player. Messi, however, still holds the single-year record with 91 goals in 2012.

While Messi has finished 2025 with 46 goals, Ronaldo has one final opportunity to add to his tally when Al Nassr face Al Ettifaq in their last match of the calendar year on December 30.