984 or 985? Doubt persists over Cristiano Ronaldo's exact goal tally

Ronaldo scored a hat-trick for Al-Nassr on Thursday, bringing him to either 984 or 985 career goals depending on whether a disputed header against Al-Faysaly counts as his own or an own goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals in Al-Nassr's 5-3 victory over Al-Kholood on Thursday, edging closer to the mythical 1,000-goal career milestone. At 41, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is now within weeks or months of reaching the record.

However, uncertainty persists over his exact tally. The discrepancy centres on a match against Al-Faysaly on 23 October, where Ronaldo headed in from a João Félix free kick. Slow-motion replays and camera angles have not definitively shown whether Ronaldo touched the ball or whether it was an own goal by Brazilian defender Andrei Girotto.

Al-Nassr's official website and the Saudi Pro League credit the goal to Ronaldo, placing him at 985 goals after Thursday's hat-trick. Transfermarkt and other statistical providers classify it as an own goal, putting his tally at 984. The 1,000-goal milestone remains the only certainty—it is now closer than ever.