Roberto Carlos: “Pelé remains the only one to have scored 1,000 goals.”

While praising Cristiano Ronaldo’s exceptional longevity, Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos believes that Cristiano Ronaldo would not be the first to reach the mythical milestone of a thousand goals.

Roberto Carlos made a point of setting the record straight about the race to 1,000 goals. According to the former Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t be the first player in history to reach this symbolic milestone, a status he still attributes to Pelé.

In an interview with the Portuguese daily O Jogo, the 2002 World Cup winner praised the longevity and ambition of his lusophone countryman, while recalling that the “King” remains, in his eyes, the only footballer to have crossed the 1,000-goal career milestone.

“For those who love Cristiano and football, it’s wonderful to see him continue to write history and break records“, he said, in remarks relayed by World Soccer Talk. “The only player to have scored 1,000 goals is Pelé. But Cristiano can join this very exclusive circle.“

Roberto Carlos also expressed admiration for Al-Nassr’s forward’s physical condition. “I’m sure he’ll reach that total. He rarely gets injured, stays in top form, and serves as an example for an entire generation. Portugal can be proud of him.” With 961 goals in his career, Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on the target, despite his absence in the last three Al-Nassr matches.