CRISTIANO RONALDO lives for history, and after another record-breaking season is just 30 goals short of the all-time milestone he most craves: Pele’s 767 strikes.
Ron went to 737 when his double in Friday’s 2-1 win over Lyon failed to save Juventus from a shock away goals exit in the Champions League.
Similar smiles and similar goal records: Cristiano Ronaldo and Pele
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his double against Lyon, taking him to 737 goals overall, but Juve were still KO’dCredit: EPA
Pele holds the official world record for goals at 767 goals, and if you include unofficial games he netted 1286 times in 1363 games Credit: PA:Empics Sport
Pele famously netted 1286 times in 1363 matches, making him the stand-out man in the Guinness Book of Records.
But 519 of those goals were in friendlies so do not count for the official crown.
That means Portugal superstar Ronaldo, 35, will surely soar to the top within two years – although his 33-year-old great rival Lionel Messi is a menacing fifth on the list with 717.
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker Ron has suggested he could play until he is 40.
RON BUCKS TREND
And even if that hope proves optimistic, many will expect him to eventually pass the 800 mark.
The Sporting Lisbon product has cruised to more landmark figures in his second campaign for Juventus.
His 37 goals in all competitions was the Old Lady’s highest ever in a season.
And he needed just 61 matches to become the fastest man ever to 50 Serie A goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo slots a penalty leveller for Juventus in their 2-1 win over Lyon as they exited the Champions League on away goalsCredit: AP:Associated Press
Lionel Messi is in fifth place overall on 717 after netting in Barcelona’s 3-1 defeat of Napoli on SaturdayCredit: AP:Associated Press
At 6ft 2ins, rangy Ronaldo bucks the trend in a top-13 list of scorers full of pocket-sized poachers and weaving wizards with low centres of gravity.
Pele is 5ft 8ins and third-placed Romario on 734 goals is 5ft 6ins.
Next come German predator Gerd Mueller on 720, Barcelona great Messi and Hungarian frontman of folklore Ferenc Puskas.
After opening with a five-goal spell for Sporting, Ronaldo joined United aged 18, netting 118 times in six years.
Real then profited from his 450 strikes, while he is one off a century for Portugal and has 65 in total for Juventus.
But what price Ronaldo passing Pele, then seeing Messi master him? … for goals at least.
Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes fails to stop Cristiano Ronaldo from completing a double as he reaches 737 goals altogetherCredit: AFP or licensors
Cristiano Ronaldo swipes at Cuadrado’s ankles in training after Juventus ace taunts him with his own celebration
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
