Cristiano Ronaldo is nearing his 40th birthday, and while he’s 92 goals short of the 1,000-mark milestone, the Portuguese star admits he "can no longer think long-term”—an emotional statement as he reflects on the passage of time, something even a player of his caliber cannot escape.

In his recent remarks, Ronaldo sent a cryptic message seemingly aimed at Lionel Messi, making it clear that, for now, he can still claim the title of the most lethal scorer in football history.

"If the 1,000 goals come, great. But if they don’t, I’m still the player with the most official goals in history,” said the former Real Madrid striker. His tally of 908 goals currently surpasses Messi’s 850, placing him as the top scorer in the sport’s history.

"I’ll be honest, I’m to blame for this: in life, in some things, in football, on a personal level, I now approach life by living in the moment, and I think that’s the most important thing. We don’t need to think long-term; I can no longer think long-term. That’s it: live in the moment, enjoy the moment. Whatever I’m capable of doing now, I will do," Ronaldo said during a tribute at the Portuguese Football Federation.

Ronaldo’s words struck a chord among fans and within the football industry, as his comments were quickly linked to his legendary rivalry with Lionel Messi. For over a decade, the two players contended for the title of the world’s best—a rivalry in both duration and impact that even Pelé and Diego Maradona couldn’t maintain due to their shorter careers.