Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates breaking the Saudi Pro League record with a famous quote
Cristiano Ronaldo made Saudi Pro League history on Monday night when he became the first player to score 35 goals in a single season.
The 39-year-old reached the milestone after scoring twice in Al Nassr’s 4-2 win over Al-Ittihad on the final day of the 2023/24 campaign.
Al Nassr finished second in the Saudi Pro League, 14 points behind champions Al-Hilal – who finished the season unbeaten.
But Ronaldo won the golden boot as his 35 goals in 31 games saw him finish ahead of his nearest rival, Al-Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic – with 28 goals in 28 games.
It’s no secret that individual accolades are very important to Ronaldo and the former Real Madrid star was delighted after scoring goal number 35.
Ronaldo then took to social media later on Monday night and celebrated further by posting a photo created to mark his record.
Share the photo on X.com alongside the caption: “I don’t follow records, records follow me.”
I don’t follow records, records follow me. 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/rqywmmTfZD
– Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) May 27, 2024
It was not the first time that Ronaldo made this statement.
He said exactly nine words in 2019 during his first interview with Piers Morgan.
At the time, Ronaldo was responding to Morgan stating that, although he is a “team player”, he “loves each award, it is important to you”.
Ronaldo replied: “It is part of my dedication, my desire to win, to be successful. When I say success, I am working for it. Not enough talent. I’m very dedicated that this is a part of me, the records are a part of me. I don’t follow the records, the records follow me.”
“I don’t follow records, records follow me” 👏👏#RonaldoMeetsPiers @piersmorgan @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/PuWJXn4IHq
— ITV (@ITV) September 17, 2019
Reporter Morgan has again interviewed Ronaldo in 2022 after the player lost his place in Manchester United’s starting XI.
During the interview – which aired shortly before United terminated his contract – Ronaldo repeated his earlier comments.
At this time Ronaldo was responding to Morgan pointing out that his return to Old Trafford last year saw him break the shirt sales record set by Lionel Messi.
He replied: “As you know, I don’t follow the records, the records follow me.” So it’s good. Another book in my book.”
As well as selling dozens of shirts and scoring goals to entertain Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals in men’s football history.
Including the double against Al Nassr on Monday, Ronaldo has scored 893 goals in his long career.
