'I Can Prove It': Cristiano Ronaldo Throws Shade at Pele's Goal Count, Sets Sights on New Milestone

The prolific goal-scoring ability of Cristiano Ronaldo has solidified his reputation as maybe the best goal-scorer of all time. His achievements are astounding; he went from topping the international goal statistics to being the greatest goal scorer in sports history. Furthermore confirming his influence on the football scene is his position as all-time best goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League.

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Cristiano Ronaldo took a subdued dig at Brazil’s Pele as the Portuguese legend eyes 1000 career goals

Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, is the top goalscorer of all time having accumulated an amazing 899 career goals. Ronaldo, nearing his 40th birthday, has said that his main objective is to attain 1,000 career goals, however, many would believe this achievement is enough for a remarkable career. Cristiano Ronaldo said during a conversation on his world-famous YouTube channel with his ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand, CR7 said:

"I want to reach 1,000 goals."

Ferdinand replied, 

"F****** hell! How old are you going to be then when you're still playing?

A pointed and indirect comment about former football greats like Pelé was also made by Cristiano Ronaldo, who implied that unlike many of the game's renowned players, he had the benefit of video proof supporting his goals. Although Pelé is often praised as the all-time best striker with 1,281 goals according to FIFA, many reports pointed out that a substantial fraction of them came from friendly games, therefore casting question on the accuracy of the count. Cristiano Ronaldo added: 

"For me it's the best mark that I can have in football, to reach, first 900 goals. After, my challenge is 1,000 goals." 

“With one difference, all the goals that I score, they have video. So I can prove that it’s [real].”

After that, Rio Ferdinand jokingly said, 

"You’re a b******! You’re talking about [Alfredo] Di Stefano, you’re talking about Pele, Eusebio."

In response to that comment, the 5-time Ballon d’Or said, "Listen, I respect all of them. My goals, [are] all goals."

"And if you want more goals, I can bring [footage] from training too. So no problem, all the goals on video!

“And I will prove to the people after [that I scored them]. [If] they prefer this player, I don’t care about that.”

The star football giant Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d'Or five times, has also received three UEFA Men's Player of the Year accolades and four European Golden Shoes. Throughout his career, he has amassed an impressive collection of 33 accolades, which includes seven league championships and five triumphs in the Champions League. Furthermore, he now holds the marks for the most number of appearances (183), goals (140), and assists (42) in the Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo is said to receive an award for being the UEFA Champions League’s greatest player in the upcoming UCL draw in Monaco.