Still Scoring at 40: Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes UEFA Nations League Top Scorer
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again etched his name into football history, netting a decisive goal in the UEFA Nations League final to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with eight goals — a new record.
Until now, the highest tally in a single top-division Nations League campaign belonged to Romelu Lukaku of Belgium and Ferran Torres of Spain, who each scored six during the 2020/21 season. But Ronaldo, as so often in his career, has raised the bar even higher.
His goal in the final wasn’t just historic for the tournament — it marked the 938th strike of his legendary career, including 138 goals for the Portugal national team. And in 2025 alone, the forward has already netted 22 goals across all competitions — a staggering figure for any player, let alone one at the age of 40.
Perhaps most remarkably, this was Ronaldo’s first-ever goal in a major international final for Portugal. And in doing so, he became the oldest player ever to appear and score in a UEFA Nations League Final. A living legend continues to defy time — and expectations.
