Cristiano Ronaldo is just 15 goals away from reaching the milestone of scoring 1,000 total goals throughout his entire football career.

Cristiano Ronaldo is edging ever closer to his career ambition of reaching 1000 professional goals. His hat-trick against Al Kholood has pushed the 41-year-old's total tally to 985 strikes, leaving him just 15 goals short of the historic milestone.

Ronaldo scored all three goals as Al Nassr beat Al Kholood 5-3 in a Saudi Pro League fixture hosted in Riyadh, early Friday morning WIB on 30 October.

Ronaldo's hat-trick demonstrated his ruthless finishing quality, even at 40 years of age.

In this match, Ronaldo also showcased the full range of his goalscoring ability. He found the net with his left foot, an aerial header, and his right foot.

These three distinct finishing methods illustrated How Ronaldo can capitalise on every type of scenario inside the opposition penalty area.

Ronaldo scored his first goal of the night in the 66th minute, with the match still locked at 2-2. Joao Felix broke Free of Al Kholood defenders before playing a low across the face of goal.

Ronaldo met the delivery with a clean left-footed finish into the open net.

Six minutes later, Ronaldo found the scoresheet once again. This time he displayed his famous jumping ability and aerial strength, heading home after receiving a cross from Joao Felix.

The Portugal international completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute. Ronaldo made a bursting run from midfield to support an attacking advance led by Sadio Mane.

After Mane failed to convert his own chance but kept possession, he laid off a simple pass to Ronaldo, who calmly slotted home the finish.

Ronaldo Nears 1000 Goal Target

These three additional goals bring Ronaldo's all-time professional career tally to 985. The gap to the 1000 goal mark has shrunk further, with only 15 more strikes required.

This milestone is one of the final major ambitions for the late stage of Ronaldo's career; he will turn 42 years old in February 2027.

Now well past his athletic prime, every single match is an opportunity for Ronaldo to close in on the 1000 goal target before ending his long professional football career.

Ronaldo's future is also drawing increasing attention. His contract with Al Nassr is scheduled to expire at the end of the 2026/2027 season. This timeline has raised questions over whether he will continue playing or announce his retirement.

Reaching the 1000 goal mark will be one of the key factors that determines his next decision.

If he hits this target, Ronaldo will likely consider that he has fulfilled one of his greatest career ambitions.

Should he not have reached the milestone by that point, he will remain open to extending his playing career.

Ronaldo Hat-Trick Secures 5-3 Al Nassr Win

The victory over Al Kholood was not defined solely by Ronaldo. Al Nassr also displayed their overall attacking quality through contributions from other squad members.

Before Ronaldo scored, Angelo Gabriel and Sadio Mane had already put Al Nassr ahead. However Al Kholood fought back with goals from Julien Domingues and Loic Essomba to level the scores at 2-2.

Ronaldo's two goals inside six minutes put Al Nassr 4-2 ahead. His third finish in the 81st minute put the result out of reach for the visitors.

Al Kholood pulled one late goal back via a Julien Domingues penalty during stoppage time, but this did not alter the final outcome. Al Nassr sealed the 5-3 victory.