Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 800th career goal - in pictures

Portuguese veteran reaches yet another milestone after double against Arsenal

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on September 11, 2021. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring his second goal for Juventus during the Serie A match at Parma on December 19, 2020. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal for Manchester United in their Champions League match at Atalanta on November 2, 2021. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Juventus in their Champions League match at home to Atletico Madrid on March 12, 2019. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring for Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first-leg against Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on May 2, 2017. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid in a La Liga game at home to Real Sociedad on February 10, 2018. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring against Newcastle United at Old Trafford on September 11, 2021. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammate Isco after scoring for Real Madrid in a La Liga game at Espanyol on September 12, 2015. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his 100th goal for Portugal during the Uefa Nations League match against Sweden in Solna on September 8, 2020. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first-leg match at Juventus on May 5, 2015. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Sergio Ramos after scoring for Real Madrid during the Champions League semi-final second-leg at home to Juventus on May 13, 2015. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Portugal during the Euro 2012 match against the Netherlands at the Metalist stadium in Kharkiv on June 17, 2012. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid in the Champions League final against Juventus in Cardiff on June 3, 2017. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid during a La Liga match at home to Villarreal on January 9, 2011. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid in a La Liga match at home to Malaga on May 8, 2013. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Wayne Rooney after scoring for Manchester United against Inter Milan during their Champions League match at Old Trafford on March 11, 2009. AFP

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Champions League game at FC Zurich on September 15, 2009. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Bolton Wanderers during the Premier League match at Old Trafford on March 19, 2008. AFP

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring in the Premier League match against Arsenal on December 2, 2021. EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring for Manchester United away to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on January 5, 2008. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Portugal in the Euro 2004 semi-final against the Netherlands in Lisbon on June 30, 2004. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Portsmouth during the Premier League match at Old Trafford on November 1, 2003. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Juventus against Genoa in Serie A. EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final against Juventus on April 4, 2018. EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring for Juventus during the Serie A match against Sassuolo at Allianz Stadium on September 16, 2018. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a last-minute penalty against Juventus for Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals on April 11, 2018. EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo reached yet another career milestone on Thursday when he became the first player to reach 800 top-level goals.

The Manchester United attacker scored twice in his team's 3-2 Premier League win over Arsenal in front of an adoring Old Trafford crowd.

Ronaldo has scored 12 goals in 17 appearances in all competitions since rejoining United from Juventus in the summer.

The 36-year-old's brace took him to 130 goals across two spells for United, which adds to his five for Sporting Lisbon, 450 at Real Madrid, 101 for Juventus and 115 for Portugal. His goals for Portugal make him the all-time top international goalscorer.

There is some debate over his status as the most prolific scorer in men's football, with Brazil's Pele and Romario both claiming over 1,000 goals, but statisticians say Ronaldo tops the scoring charts in official competitions.

Unofficial statisticians RSSSF say Pele (769), Romario and Ferenc Puskas (both 761) are the players nearest to Ronaldo at the elite end of football.

Lionel Messi is next on 756 goals for Argentina (80), Barcelona (672) and Paris St-Germain (four).

The Premier League's all-time top scorer, Alan Shearer, hailed Ronaldo's “phenomenal” record after United's win.

“You just have to sit there and say 'wow' and applaud the guy,” Shearer said on Amazon Prime Video.

“It's very difficult to get to the top but it is staying there too. You have to get up in the morning and go again and the whole world is looking for you to perform every week. It's just phenomenal what he's done.”

Ronaldo's United and Portugal teammate Bruno Fernandes added: “Incredible. We all know he is improving game by game, year by year. He wants to keep being the best and that's what he did. He knows how to self-motivate.”

You can see some of Ronaldo's goals and celebrations in the gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.