Cristiano Ronaldo is getting closer to a number that once seemed almost impossible to reach. The Portuguese superstar moved his career tally to 985 goals after smashing a 15-minute hat-trick to fire Al Nassr to a 5-3 win over Al Kholood in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday.

With the game locked at 2-2 after an eventful first half, Ronaldo took matters into his own hands. He struck in the 66th and 72nd minutes before completing his treble in the 81st, giving Al Nassr the breathing room they needed. It was his seventh hat-trick for the club since joining in 2023.

There was another reason for Ronaldo to celebrate on Thursday. The 41-year-old was named the winner of the inaugural B.O.A.T. (Ballon d'Or of All Time) award, with his 2008 Ballon d'Or-winning season at Manchester United beating Lionel Messi's 2012 campaign in a fan vote. Ronaldo, of course, already has five official Ballon d'Or awards.

The latest treble leaves him just 15 goals away from the elusive 1,000 mark. And if there is one thing Ronaldo has made clear over the years, it is that he has no intention of slowing down just yet.

RONALDO 15 SHORT OF 1000 GOALS

The 985-goal tally puts Ronaldo within touching distance of a milestone he has spoken about openly. In a 2024 conversation with former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, he admitted that reaching 1,000 career goals was one of his biggest remaining ambitions, with fitness and staying injury-free key to getting there.

Thursday's performance also took his career hat-trick count to 67. Real Madrid have seen the most of them, with Ronaldo scoring 44 trebles during his time in Spain. He has also managed 10 for Portugal, seven for Al Nassr, three for Manchester United and three for Juventus.

Ronaldo's goals also kept Al Nassr firmly in on track of their Saudi Pro League title defence bid. They are level on 28 points with leaders Al Qadsiah, but have played a game fewer. Al Kholood, meanwhile, remain 10th with 12 points.

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