967 or 961? The number sparking global controversy

The road of Cristiano Ronaldo toward the historic 1000-goal milestone seemed like a perfect narrative… until an unexpected controversy shook the football world. After scoring a brace for Al-Nassr in their 5-2 win over Al-Najma, the Portuguese star moved closer to the dream mark—but also triggered an uncomfortable question: how many goals does he really have?

According to different records, the number varies depending on who you ask. While some outlets and organizations count 967 goals, others place him at 961, creating a gap that is far from insignificant in the race toward history.

The origin of the conflict: six “ghost” goals

At the heart of the controversy are six goals scored by Cristiano Ronaldo during the Arab Club Champions Cup 2023, a tournament he won with Al-Nassr and which remains his only title in Saudi Arabia so far.

The issue arises because this competition is not officially recognized by FIFA, leading platforms like Transfermarkt and Sofascore to exclude those goals from their databases.

However, this decision does not come directly from football’s governing body, but rather from the internal criteria of these statistical platforms.

This is where things get complicated: there is no single, definitive stance, leaving the total in a gray area open to interpretation.

FIFA and IFFHS tilt the balance

Despite the chaos, there are strong indications that these goals should count. According to the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics), all of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals—including the disputed six—should be considered valid.

Additionally, FIFA itself has provided key signals. In official communications, such as the celebration of Ronaldo’s 950th goal, those goals were included in the overall tally.

Recent reports from the governing body have also highlighted CR7’s performances in that tournament, which many experts see as implicit validation.

As a result, claims suggesting that FIFA had “removed” those goals have been labeled as false information, according to various sources.

The impact on the race to 1000 goals

Beyond the debate, the numbers directly affect the milestone race. If the 967-goal count is accepted, Cristiano Ronaldo is just 33 goals away from reaching 1000. If the 961 tally is used, that gap increases to 39 goals.

It may seem like a small difference, but at 41 years old, every goal matters in this race against time.

The calendar is still on his side. With Al-Nassr, he has matches left this season, and with the Portugal national team, he will have a golden opportunity at the 2026 World Cup, where he could play up to seven matches if he reaches the final.

Meanwhile, the debate has also reignited comparisons with Lionel Messi, who has surpassed 900 goals and remains active.

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