Fastest to Score 100 Goals for Their Club: Cristiano Ronaldo Astonishingly Features Twice in Top 5 List

Being a goalscorer is one of the most demanding jobs in soccer. More often than not, they carry a hefty price tag, and clubs tend to be eager to see their mega investments pay dividends. Thriving under such pressure is not easy, even for the biggest talents in the sport.

In today’s list, we will meet a few exceptions who did not cower under the weight of expectations and started firing from the word go. Continue reading to discover the mentality monsters who reached 100 goals for their new employers in record time.

#5 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus): 131 Games

Cristiano Ronaldo was not at the top of his game at the end of his nine-year spell at Real Madrid. Juventus still happily paid €117 million ($130.1 million) for the then-33-year-old, believing he still had a lot to offer.

The Portuguese icon only spent three years in Turin before signing for Manchester United, but the window was more than enough for Ronaldo to score 100 goals for the Bianconeri. It took him only 131 games to reach the milestone. No player in Italy had scored as many goals as quickly for their club.

Ronaldo clocked 101 goals and 22 assists in 134 games for Juve before his exit. His goals and assists helped the Old Lady to two Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, and two Supercoppas de Italiana.

#4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG): 124 Games

Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic from AC Milan in July 2012 for only €21 million ($23.4 million). It turned out to be one of the best bargain buys in the history of European soccer, as he went on to define an era at the Parc des Princes.

The Swedish icon scored 100 goals for PSG in just 124 games. He went on to add another 56 goals in as many games before leaving the club in the summer of 2016. Ibrahimovic also chipped in with 62 assists along the way.

The former Manchester United striker won four Ligue 1 titles, two Coupes de France, three Couples de la Ligue, and three Trophée des Champions awards with PSG. He was chosen as the club’s best player in three out of four seasons.

#3 Luis Suarez (Barcelona): 120 Games

Barcelona paid a handsome €81.7 million ($90.9 million) to sign Luis Suarez from Liverpool in July 2014. Due to a suspension, Suarez had to wait a while to get his Barca debut. But the wait was worth it for both the player and the club. The Uruguayan hit the ground running in Catalonia, getting up to 100 goals in only 120 games.

Suarez, who recently retired from international soccer, had a telepathic understanding with Lionel Messi, with the duo combining for numerous match-winning goals during their time together at Barca. Now, reunited in the United States, the pair is working together to take Inter Miami to the MLS Cup.

Suarez spent six years at Barcelona. He scored 195 goals and provided 113 assists for Barca in 283 games across competitions, helping them to four La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy amongst other honors. Suarez also won the European Golden Shoe in the 2015-16 season, clinching the award ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

#2 Erling Haaland (Manchester City): 105 Games

Norwegian goalmachine Erling Haaland scored his 100th goal for Manchester City in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday, September 22. Since his shockingly low €60 million ($66.7 million) switch from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, Haaland has won two Premier League Golden Boots and one Champions League Golden Boot with the Cityzens. He has already scored 10 goals in five Premier League games this term and is the runaway favorite to snatch his third consecutive top scorer award in the English top flight.

Haaland scored 52 goals in 53 games in his debut season, guiding Manchester City to the Treble. He was not as effective the following season, but still finished with 38 goals in 45 games, helping City to the Premier League title. Given the start he has enjoyed, it will not be surprising if he spearheads another record-breaking campaign for the English champions.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid): 105 Games

Cristiano Ronaldo became the most expensive transfer of all time when he joined Real Madrid from Manchester United in the summer of 2009. Los Blancos paid €94 million ($104.6 million) to prize the Portuguese superstar away, hoping he would help them to the biggest trophies during his stay.

Ronaldo enjoyed a blistering start at Real Madrid, needing only 105 matches to score 100 goals for the goal. His scoring rate was already astonishing, but he only got better with each passing game. Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus in the summer of 2018, having scored a club-record 451 goals in 438 games across competitions. He helped Madrid to four UEFA Champions League trophies and two La Liga titles amongst other honors.