3 reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo will cross the 800-goal mark

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored over 700 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored over 700 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo wrote his name into footballing folklore once again when he scored in the Euro 2020 qualifying fixture against Ukraine. The goal was his 95th for Portugal and took him to 700 career goals for club and country.

Remarkably, only five men before him have managed to score 700 official goals in the history of football. And while Ronaldo's status as an all-time great has long been confirmed, he has further cemented his legacy with this latest milestone.

A breakdown of his goals reveals 605 have come with his various clubs. Sporting Lisbon (5), Manchester United (118), Real Madrid (450) and Juventus (32) have accounted for his goals at club level, while his Portuguese career makes up the rest.

Furthermore, of the 700, 444 have been scored with his right foot, which serves no real surprise as that is his dominant side. However, he has also scored 126 with his 'weaker foot', while his head (128), and 'chest' (two) complete the tally.

With 700 reached, the conversation has predictably turned to whether the Madeira native can reach the next century. Some believe that he can, while others believe he can't.

While a further 100 goals might sound almost impossible for Ronaldo to attain, that word does not exist in his dictionary. The 34-year-old thrives on making the impossible possible.

In this piece, we look at three reasons why Ronaldo will most likely reach the 800-goal mark before he draws the curtains on his illustrious career.

#3 He is still in pristine condition

Ronaldo is still fit as a fiddle
Ronaldo is still fit as a fiddle

The number one argument against Ronaldo reaching the 800-goal mark is his age. Many argue the fact that he is 34 means he has limited years of top-level football left in him, and that gives him less time to break the record.

This would have been a valid point if the player in question was any ordinary footballer. The average player peaks in their mid-20s, starts declining in their 30s and by 34-35 are either nearing retirement or kicking it down in one of the lesser leagues for one final big payday.

However, that argument ignores the fact that Ronaldo is not your average player. And as such, he cannot be judged by the yardsticks set for other footballers.

Players throughout history have regressed with age, but Ronaldo seems to be a Benjamin Button who seemingly gets younger with each passing year.

His ultra-intense training regimen and strict dietary procedures have ensured that the Portuguese international is almost in tip-top condition despite approaching his 18th year as a professional footballer.

Ronaldo looks as fit and trim as anyone, and a study revealed that he has the body fat index of a 20-year-old. This should come as no surprise to anyone who follows him across social media platforms and is observant of his daily routines.

Like vintage wine, Ronaldo seems to have gotten better with age. A look at his numbers in his last few years would convince even the staunchest naysayers of that.

The former Manchester United man turned 30 in February 2015 and that year, he still scored an incredible total of 57 goals from 57 appearances. In each of the next two years he scored 50+ goals, while his figure dropped to 49 in 2018 as he took himself off international duties and adapted to a new league.

This year he has still managed to score 27 goals from just 35 appearances, which is only eight short of Messi's total of 35 (43 appearances). It also compares favorably with the returns posted by younger world-class forwards like Harry Kane (22 from 32), Sergio Aguero (29 from 41), Luis Suarez (23 from 41) and Robert Lewandowski (38 from 42).

Furthermore, Ronaldo has an excellent track record with injuries. And his incredible recovery rate means that he comes back to full fitness sooner rather than later on the rare occasions that he does pick up a niggle.

Given his pristine body condition, it stands to reason that Ronaldo will play for at least another four years. And with his goalscoring rate still ranking high up there with the best of them, it seems like a matter of time before he reaches the 800-goal mark.

#2 The dominance of Juventus and Portugal

Juventus are the dominant force in Italian football
Juventus are the dominant force in Italian football

Juventus have an unprecedented stranglehold on the Serie A. The Bianconeri are so far ahead of the rest of the competition that almost every match is a walkover for them in the league.

Also, Portugal's status as one of the elite footballing teams on the European continent ensures that they get relatively easy fixtures during the qualification stages for the World Cup and Euro.

There are over 10 minnows in Europe who are regularly walloped by the top teams, and Portugal get at least two of those when draws for qualifiers are made. Such fixtures offer Ronaldo the chance to bolster his already-incredible goal tally.

Furthermore, while Juventus might not exactly be renowned for their goalscoring prowess, their status as Italian superpowers means that they net a respectable amount every season. And with Ronaldo serving as their go-to man in front of goal, it is highly likely that he will record 25+ seasons for the next few years.

#1 Ronaldo's drive and commitment will keep him going

Ronaldo has the drive and commitment to be number one
Ronaldo has the drive and commitment to be number one

Throughout Cristiano Ronaldo's career, he has always had one mission: to be number one, and nothing else.

This commitment has seen him come to the training field earlier than all his teammates and stay on it later than the rest. The 34-year-old has reaped the dividends of that, boasting one of the most spectacular careers in the annals of football.

While there might be many who can claim to have been more naturally talented than Ronaldo, few if any can genuinely claim to have the drive, passion and commitment that the Madeira native possesses.

Right now, only five men stand between Ronaldo and his mission of becoming the highest goalscorer in the history of football. Josef Bican's tally of 805 goals is the standard-bearer for men's professional football.

That means the former Real Madrid man needs just 106 goals for club and country to become the outright highest goalscorer of all time.

Ronaldo never settles for second best, much less 6th best. And with just 100 goals standing in his way to create even more history, the smart money would be on him becoming the second man to ever score 800 goals.

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Edited by Musab Abid