Portugal Clinch UEFA Nations League Title As Ronaldo Reaches 938 Career Goals.
Portugal have emerged victorious in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League, securing the coveted trophy with a stellar performance in the final on Sunday, 8 June 2025. The triumph marks Portugal’s second Nations League title, following their inaugural win in 2019, and was propelled by the indomitable Cristiano Ronaldo, who added to his legacy with a goal that took his career tally to an astonishing 938.
In a thrilling final held at the Allianz Arena, Portugal overcame fierce competition to lift the trophy, showcasing their tactical prowess and resilience. The match saw Ronaldo, the 40-year-old captain, once again prove his status as an “absolute machine,” netting a crucial goal to extend his record as the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football. His latest strike, a clinical finish, came from a well-executed move involving a pinpoint cross from left-back Nuno Mendes, highlighting Ronaldo’s enduring positioning and predatory instinct in the box.
The victory caps a remarkable campaign for Portugal, who navigated a challenging path through League A Group 1, defeating Croatia, Scotland, and Poland in earlier matches. In the semi-final, Ronaldo’s 137th international goal secured a 2-1 win over Germany, ending a 25-year drought against the side and booking Portugal’s place in the final. The decisive match saw Portugal’s blend of youth and experience shine, with contributions from stars like Bruno Fernandes and Francisco Conceição complementing Ronaldo’s heroics.
Ronaldo, already the most-capped male footballer in history with 221 appearances, continues to defy age and expectations. His 938 career goals, amassed across stints at Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and current club Al-Nassr, cement his reputation as one of the greatest players of all time. “It’s difficult to put into words. He takes each day as an opportunity to get better,” Portugal boss Roberto Martinez said after the match, echoing sentiments shared by teammate Bernardo Silva, who praised Ronaldo’s unrelenting ambition.
The win adds another chapter to Ronaldo’s glittering career, which includes five Ballon d’Or awards, five UEFA Champions League titles, and the UEFA European Championship in 2016. For Portugal, this triumph reinforces their status as a footballing powerhouse, having now claimed two of the three Nations League titles since the competition’s inception.
As celebrations erupted across Lisbon and beyond, fans hailed Ronaldo as the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time), with social media abuzz with praise for the veteran striker’s longevity and impact. With 938 goals and counting, the question now is whether the Portuguese legend will push on towards the 1,000-goal milestone—a feat that, for Ronaldo, seems well within reach.