CRISTIANO RONALDO passed Pele to become the second-highest goalscorer EVER with his double against Udinese.
The Juventus forward, 35, scored twice in the 4-1 win to keep the pressure on the top four in Serie A.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored one more career goal than Pele
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 757th and 758th official goals of his staggering careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But on a personal level, the goals ensured he pipped Pele in the all-time list.
Pele managed a staggering record of 757 official goals during his stellar career between 1956 and 1977 for Santos, New York Cosmos and Brazil.
Ronaldo, though, hit goals No 757 and 758 to equal and then move past Pele.
The first came when he collected the ball on the left, drove into the box and unleashed a drive into the far corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
He added his second – and Juve’s third – with a left-footed finish when through one on one.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also got the assist for Federico Chiesa with a sublime pass to make it 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium before Paulo Dybala wrapped up the scoring.
And he is now just one goal behind Josef Bican’s incredible tally of 759 from 1931 to 1955 – so will be looking to move clear as the ultimate No1 with games against AC Milan and Sassuolo in the next week.
More than half of Ronaldo’s strikes came during his nine years at the Bernabeu.
The strikes took him initially level and then past Pele’s tally as Ronaldo moved second in the all-time listCredit: Getty – Contributor
The rest have been for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Juventus and 102 on the international stage for Portugal.
The new landmark comes just weeks after Lionel Messi broke Pele’s record tally for the most goals with one club.
Pele managed 643 Santos goals but Messi overtook that when he found the net for the 644th time in a Barcelona shirt just before Christmas.
Santos, however, released an astonishing statement to deny their hero’s tally was actually surpassed.
Ronaldo opened the scoring with a fine strike which left the Udinese back line helplessCredit: AP:Associated Press
He made no mistake with his left foot to tuck home his second and Juve’s third on the nightCredit: AFP or licensors
The goals – as well as his assist for Federico Chiesa – ensured Juventus ran out comfortable winnersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ronaldo and Messi are both named in the Ballon d’Or all-time best XI
Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he finds it boring playing in empty stadiums and misses when fans boo him
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
