Cristiano Ronaldo has made quite the name for himself since he broke onto the scene as a sprightly young 18-year-old from Sporting Lisbon’s youth academy; capturing Sir Alex Ferguson’s attention after United lost 3-1 to Sporting during the inauguration of the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
The rest as we say is history.
Since then the Portuguese superstar has gone on to have a stellar career, amassing a large haul of trophies with both Manchester United and Real Madrid. He has won every single club trophy available and plenty of personal honours to go along with it; with the 3 Ballon d’Or’s the pick of the lot.
In the past decade or so, he has broken almost every record in sight, with his incredible goal-scoring record a testament to the remarkable player that he has become. But, having only recently signed a new 5 year deal with Real Madrid, you get the feeling that he might just be getting started.
Let’s take a look at 5 records that he could possibly break soon in a Real Madrid shirt.
#1 Telmo Zarra’s haul of La Liga top scorer awards
Currently, the record for the maximum number of La Liga’s top scorer award, the Pichichi, is held by Athletic Bilbao legend, Telmo Zarra. Zarra won the award six times from 1944-1953 and is the top scorer in Bilbao’s history with 332 goals. He also holds the record for most Copa Del Ray goals with 81 of them to his name.
With Ronaldo having won the award 3 times already, in the 2010-11, 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, it wouldn’t go too far to suggest that the Real Madrid talisman is within a clear shot of breaking the record in the next 5 years.
With Messi also winning the prestigious award 3 times and him being 2 years junior to Ronaldo, the added competition will surely push him to better his Barcelona rival.
#2 Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s scoring record for goals in consecutive appearances
Out of the many that make their move out of the Dutch League, only very few experience the same level of success elsewhere. Van Nistelrooy was definitely one of them. After making his move from PSV to Manchester United, he developed into one of the most lethal strikers on the planet.
Before joining Real Madrid, he was key to the dominance of Alex Ferguson’s side and in the 2002-03 season, scored in the Champions League in an incredible 9 consecutive games. 10 if you include a goal in the qualifying round against Zalaegerzegi of Hungary.
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With Ronaldo winning the UEFA Champions League top-scorer award on 5 separate occasions already, you wouldn’t put it beyond him to break Nistelrooy’s streak in any of the upcoming editions; with the superstar usually saving his best performances for Europe’s top continental prize.
#3 Raul’s goal record in consecutive Champions Leagues
Last season Ronaldo surpassed another Real Madrid legend’s record, as he became their all-time top goalscorer when he scored his 365th goal for the club, crossing Raul’s tally. Before that, he also beat the Spaniard in setting a new all-time record of goal haul in the Champions League, with 96 currently to his name.
However, Raul has scored in 14 consecutive seasons in the Champions League and Ronaldo, who has now scored in past 11 campaigns, has a shot of clearing this record and setting one for years to come if he continues to perform at the highest level in the next 5 seasons.
Another one that he could possibly break during this time is Ryan Giggs’ record for goals in most Champions League campaigns, having scored in 16 editions of the competition out of a possible 17.
#4 Most goals in an European Campaign
This is a record that is held by Colombian striker and hitman, Radamel Falcao, whose incredible form with Athletico Madrid has been completely forgotten after some injury-ravaged seasons with Monaco, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Falcao’s glorious exploits in the 2010/11 Europa League season set a mark that neither Ronaldo nor Messi have been able to emulate. The Colombian had a goal tally of remarkable 18, with 1 in qualifying and 17 in the competition proper, leading Athletico to the title.
Ronaldo’s best year came during the 2013-14 season, when he hit 17 goals in just 11 appearances, setting a new UEFA Champions League record. With the forward showing no signs of slowing down, you wouldn’t put it beyond him to break the 18 goal barrier.
#5 Lionel Messi’s record for most goals in a La Liga campaign
Messi currently holds the record for most goals scored in a La Liga Campaign, with remarkable 50 goals for Barcelona in the 2011-12 season. Ronaldo came closest to breaking this record in the 2014-15 campaign when he scored 48. But it’s worth noting that he played only 35 games that season, missing 3 through suspension.
With Ronaldo having grown older since then, it is definitely a hard goal to achieve, but nevertheless, not an impossible one.
With his future sorted out after the new deal, keeping him at the Bernabeu until 2021, Ronaldo definitely has the grit, the technical skill and the determination to pull out another phenomenal season and break Messi’s record.
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