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<p>26 Years and Counting</p>
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<img alt="Eternal icons? Cristiano Ronaldo chases all-time record for longest goalscoring streak" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/del-iero-ronaldo-and-iniesta-1768322573-187133.png" title="Eternal icons? Cristiano Ronaldo chases all-time record for longest goalscoring streak">
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<p dir="ltr">Cristiano Ronaldo has a knack for making history and setting records. On January 8, during Al-Nassr's Saudi Pro League match against Al-Qadsiah, he scored what turned out to be a mere consolation goal from the penalty spot, his 16th of the season. Remarkably, this goal marked the continuation of his stellar career: Ronaldo has now found the net in every year for the past 26 years. According to <em>Transfermarkt</em>, he is just one year away from matching the longest goalscoring streak in football history.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Who else belongs on this esteemed list of players who have defied time throughout their illustrious careers? Luka Modrić and Andrés Iniesta, both with 23-year scoring streaks, lead a group of technically gifted legends whose exploits began in the early 2000s and span multiple continents. Also featured are Zlatan Ibrahimović, who maintained his scoring presence for an impressive 23 consecutive years until 2023, as well as enduring players like Joaquín and Robbie Keane. Historical figures like Silvio Piola and Walter Schachner, with 24-year streaks, further showcase the incredible longevity necessary to break into the top ranks of this historic statistic.</p>
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<img alt="Ronaldo 26 years" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/ronaldo-26-years-1768322498-187132.png?lm=1768322510" title="Ronaldo 26 years" width="503">
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<p dir="ltr">Looking at the top tiers, the consistency becomes even more astounding. Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero is tied for fourth place with 24 years, while Francesco Totti, Lukas Podolski, and Algerian veteran Nassim Akrour each hold a remarkable 25-year scoring streak. These footballers exemplify endurance, having scored in every calendar year since their debuts, well into the latter stages of their careers. Podolski’s active status is particularly noteworthy as he aims to extend his streak into future years.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Currently, Ronaldo stands just one year shy of the top position, but he may need to continue his career to surpass Roque Santa Cruz, who leads with a 27-year streak that began in 1999. Notably, the 44-year-old Santa Cruz is still playing for Paraguay's Club Nacional Asunción. Whether he can outlast Ronaldo's career in Saudi Arabia remains uncertain, but both players deserve immense recognition for their contributions across vast spans of football history.</p>
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