Cristiano Ronaldo set to make 1000th senior appearance of his career when Juventus travel to SPAL

Cristiano Ronaldo could reach yet another impressive milestone in his already star-studded career when Juventus travel to SPAL on Saturday.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner may make his 1,000th professional appearance against the Serie A strugglers.

Ronaldo has played 835 games in club football and featured 164 times on the international stage, and is set to achieve the impressive figure as Juventus continue their bid for domestic glory.

The Portuguese superstar first emerged into the limelight as a fresh-faced teenager in 2002

The Portuguese superstar first emerged into the limelight as a fresh-faced teenager, donned in a Sporting Lisbon jersey, in 2002. 

The then 17-year-old had been promoted from Sporting’s youth team by first-team manager Laszlo Boloni, who was starstruck by Ronaldo’s unparalleled dribbling abilities.

Ronaldo’s debut came when the youngster was introduced off the bench in the Champions League third qualifying round first-leg tie against Inter Milan, but was unable to make an impact with the clash finishing goalless.

The 17-year-old was promoted from Sporting’s youth team by first-team manager Laszlo Boloni

That evening marked the first time a global icon took to the field as a professional – with Ronaldo replacing Tonito with an hour played before embarking on a couple of mazy dribbles down the right flank. 

Sporting lost the second leg 2-0, however, and crashed out of the competition. 

Ronaldo had failed to feature at the San Siro, but made a significant impression for his homeland club during the campaign.

His first goals on the biggest stage were truly remarkable, with Ronaldo rounding off his appearance against Moreirense with a superb brace. 

And the electric winger would infamously soon catch the eye of several of Europe’s greatest sides. 

Portuguese newspaper A Bola marked the occasion with a front-page collage of Ronaldo’s most memorable moments for both club and country, with Tuttosport also prominently featuring the achievement. 

Portuguese newspaper A Bola celebrated the potential milestone with a front-page collage

Tuttosport also highlighted the superb record, with Ronaldo netting 724 career goals

The 35-year-old superstar has netted 724 goals during his rich career, which began with humble beginnings at Sporting.

After 31 appearances for the club, between 2002 and 2003, Ronaldo moved to Manchester United. 

The dazzling wideman infamously impressed the Old Trafford hierarchy, including Sir Alex Ferguson, and United players urged the club to snap up Ronaldo – which they soon did for a reported £12.24million fee.

Ronaldo featured 292 times for the Premier League giants, and left for Real Madrid after six years. The mercurial forward even scored 450 of his total career goals for the La Liga title challengers. 

The Portugal captain moved to Manchester United in 2003 after impressing against the club

Ronaldo netted 450 of his total career goals for Real Madrid following six years at Old Trafford

And after securing himself as an all-time club great, Ronaldo departed on good terms to take up another challenge with Juventus in 2018.

With 52 goals in 72 appearances in Turin since the switch, Ronaldo is closing in on another impressive record – and could rack up his 1,000th appearance against the Serie A basement club.

The Portuguese captain has netted 20 goals in league action this season, with a further two strikes coming in the Champions League.

Team-mate Gianluigi Buffon is also on the verge of history, with the veteran goalkeeper just one more game away from becoming the highest Serie A appearance maker.