At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo named GOAT by Portuguese league, honoured as Best Player of All Time

Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40, has been officially named the Best Player of All Time by Liga Portugal, the governing body of Portuguese professional football. The award, presented at the league’s annual gala, acknowledges Ronaldo’s extraordinary two-decade career that has transcended borders, rewritten history books, and cemented his legacy as one of football’s most enduring figures.

Though he was unable to attend the ceremony in person, Ronaldo delivered a message that reflected the scale of the honour and the personal pride he attaches to his national recognition.

“I’d like to thank Liga Portugal for this award, being named the best player of all time. Ronaldo said in a video address. As you can imagine, it is a great honour to win something for my country.“First of all, I’d like to thank all my team-mates who have helped me throughout my career to win this wonderful trophy, as well as all the coaches and everyone who has supported me on this journey of always pushing to improve. Thank you all so much.”

Few athletes in any sport have sustained the level of excellence Cristiano Ronaldo has displayed across such a wide span of time, clubs, and competitions. Starting his professional journey at Sporting CP before moving to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al Nassr, Ronaldo has built a record that defies normal football trajectories.

He recently equalled the all-time record for goals in World Cup qualifying, scoring his 39th in Portugal’s comeback win over Hungary at the Puskás Arena. Ronaldo struck from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, drawing level with Carlos Ruiz of Guatemala and moving ahead of Lionel Messi, who sits on 36 goals. On the club front, his move to Saudi side Al Nassr has not dulled his edge; with a new two-year contract signed, he remains a central figure in the team’s ongoing push for silverware.

Even as he approaches his 41st birthday, Ronaldo shows no signs of stepping away from the spotlight. He continues to chase the symbolic mark of 1,000 career goals, needing just 57 more to reach it, a number that, given his fitness and drive, remains within reach.

Throughout his career, Ronaldo’s achievements have often been measured against those of Lionel Messi, forming a rivalry that has defined an era in world football.

While Messi now plies his trade at Inter Miami and continues to shine in MLS, including multiple braces in recent matches, Ronaldo remains a high-impact figure on two fronts: for club in Saudi Arabia and for country with Portugal. The GOAT debate, one of football’s most persistent narratives, has fueled fanbases, media discourse, and even shaped the way honours like these are received. For Ronaldo, being recognised as the best ever by his home country carries a unique weight.

It places him not just in the pantheon of Portuguese greats, but above all of them.

Portugal, and the road to 2026

Far from entering a twilight phase, Ronaldo remains the heartbeat of Portugal’s national team, most recently leading them to a second UEFA Nations League title after a tense final against Spain at Munich’s Allianz Arena that was decided in a penalty shootout. Spain’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal was widely seen as the future, with many expecting the young star to carry his side to victory.

But when it came down to the wire, it was Ronaldo’s side that held their nerve and claimed the win.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Ronaldo’s relentless drive and leadership continue to be the foundation of a team balancing youthful promise with seasoned resilience.But while things are clicking on the national front, the picture at Al Nassr remains more complicated.Despite winning the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot in back-to-back seasons, Ronaldo has yet to lift the league title.

In the 2024/25 campaign, Al Nassr finished third, trailing eventual champions Al Ittihad by 13 points, a gap that’s fueled Ronaldo’s growing frustration. Their early exit from the AFC Champions League only added to the sting.For a player who has built his career on not just personal brilliance but team success, the absence of silverware in Saudi Arabia remains a glaring gap. Ronaldo is determined not only to deliver on the pitch but to transform Al Nassr into a dominant force, aiming to establish a lasting legacy by leading the club to Saudi Pro League titles and becoming champions among Saudi clubs. The 2025–26 Saudi Pro League season kicked off on August 28, with Al Nassr opening strongly by defeating Al Taawoun 5-0. Now, as the league moves into the second round, Al Nassr prepare to face Al Kholood on September 14, a crucial fixture that Ronaldo and his team see as a vital step toward the season’s ambitions.