He’s forty. Let that sink in for a second. In a sport where most strikers are considered "vintage" by thirty-two, Cristiano Ronaldo is still out there, chest out, defying every biological clock we’ve ever known. But if you’ve been following cristiano ronaldo in the news lately, you know the vibe has shifted. It’s not just about the step-overs or the screamers anymore.
It’s about the drama. The absolute, high-stakes, "is-he-actually-human" kind of drama that only happens in Riyadh these days.
January 2026 has been a total rollercoaster for the Al Nassr captain. Seriously. On one hand, he’s breaking records that shouldn’t even exist. On the other, he’s dealing with a losing streak that has some fans—the fickle ones, anyway—calling him a "fossil." It’s wild. One minute he’s the hero of the Kingdom, and the next, he’s the face of a mini-crisis.
The 1,000 Goal Obsession: Where Does He Stand?
Everyone is talking about the number. 1,000. It’s the Everest of football. Honestly, most people thought it was impossible. But as of mid-January 2026, Ronaldo is sitting on 959 career goals.
Think about that. He needs 41 more to hit the magic four digits.
He recently poked home a goal against Al Hilal—a classic "right place, right time" finish off a Kingsley Coman cross—and it felt like the whole world held its breath. He’s already scored in 26 consecutive calendar years. 26! He’s been scoring professional goals since 2002. Most of his current teammates were literally in diapers when he bagged his first for Sporting CP.
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But here is the catch. Even though he’s scoring, his team is struggling. Al Nassr just hit a wall. They lost three games in a row to start 2026, including a painful 3-1 defeat to their arch-rivals, Al Hilal. It’s the first time in his entire career he’s started a year with three straight losses.
Cristiano Ronaldo in the News: The "Fossil" Controversy
You’ve probably seen the headlines. "Sell Ronaldo." "Marketing win, sporting loss."
Social media is a brutal place. After the loss to Al Hilal, Al Nassr fans (or at least a very vocal group of them) started venting. They’re looking at his $200 million-a-year contract and wondering if that money could be better spent on three or four younger stars.
It’s a fair question, kinda. But also? It’s Ronaldo.
Even when the team loses, he’s usually the one finding the net. He scored a penalty against Al Qadsiah and that clinical finish in the derby. The problem isn't necessarily him; it's the fact that the rest of the squad seems to crumble when the pressure is on. Plus, Al Nassr’s goalkeeper, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, getting a straight red card in the derby didn't exactly help matters.
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Why the 2026 World Cup is Looming Large
This is the big one. The "Last Dance."
Ronaldo has officially confirmed that the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada will be his final international tournament. He’ll be 41 years old. Just saying that out loud feels crazy. But if Portugal qualifies—and they’re looking good after he notched two goals against Hungary recently—he will be the first player to ever feature in six World Cups.
He’s admitted it’ll be emotional. In a recent interview, he basically said he might cry when it’s all over. For a guy who usually acts like a terminator, that’s pretty humanizing. He wants that one trophy he doesn't have. The only one.
The Transfer Rumors Are Getting Weird
Since it’s January, the transfer window gossip is in full swing. But instead of Ronaldo leaving, he’s actually acting like a sort of "shadow sporting director."
The word on the street—and by street, I mean reports from CaughtOffside and Fichajes—is that he’s pushing Al Nassr to sign big names for the 2026-27 season.
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- Bruno Fernandes: Ronaldo reportedly wants his Portugal teammate to join him in Riyadh. Bruno is 31 now and apparently frustrated at Manchester United.
- Antonio Rudiger: This is a big one. The Real Madrid defender is out of contract soon, and Ronaldo is said to be "recommending" him to the board.
- Teun Koopmeiners: There’s even talk of a €45 million move for the Juventus midfielder.
It feels like Ronaldo isn't just playing for Al Nassr; he’s trying to build a dynasty before he hangs up the boots. He knows he only has "one or two years" left. He said so himself at a forum in Riyadh. He’s maximizing every second.
What This Means for You (The Fan)
If you're tracking cristiano ronaldo in the news, don't get distracted by the "flop" talk. The stats don't lie. 15 goals already this season. A scoring streak that spans decades.
The reality is that we are watching the final sunset of a career that changed football forever. Whether he reaches 1,000 goals or not, the sheer longevity is the story.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the Saudi Pro League standings. Al Nassr is currently trailing Al Hilal by seven points. If they don't turn it around soon, Ronaldo’s quest for a major trophy in Saudi Arabia might have to wait another year.
What to watch next:
Keep your eyes on the AFC Champions League fixtures. Ronaldo has been prolific there (14 goals in 17 games), and it’s his best path to a trophy this spring. Also, check the Portugal national team schedule; their final World Cup qualifying push is where he’ll likely try to pad that goal count toward the 1,000 mark. Set your alerts for Al Nassr's next match against Al-Ittihad—it’s a "must-win" if they want to save their season.