Ronaldo’s name has dominated football for more than twenty years and the Portugal superstar has shown no desire to stop any time soon.
After playing for the biggest clubs in Europe – including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus – and winning the biggest individual and collective prizes, Ronaldo left for Saudi Arabia last year at the age of 38.
Now 39 and way past the ages that other greats like Ronaldo the phenomenon, Zinedine Zidane, and Ronaldinho retired from the game, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still breaking records.
Only last week, the Portugal international set a new record for goals scored in a Saudi Pro League season after netting twice for Al-Nassr in a 4-2 victory against Al-Ittihad to bring his total for the season to 35 goals. This surpassed the previous record of 34 goals set by Abderrazak Hamdallah during the 2018/19 season, also while playing for Al-Nassr.
With his contract at Al Nassr not expiring until June 2025, Ronaldo is set to play until he turns 40 and he could extend to play well into his forties.
When asked if he was inspired by Ronaldo’s longevity to follow same, 32-year-old Neymar reveals he has no such plans to play for so long.
“Does Cristiano Ronaldo’s longevity make me want to play for many more years? No. I think it’s different for everyone,” Neymar said, as per Sambafoot.
“Cristiano Ronaldo obviously is a great example that playing football doesn’t have an age. The will is different for every player, every person. There are players that retired at 30, 33, others at 42.”
Ronaldo has been named in Portugal’s squad for this summer’s European championships, where A Seleção das Quinas will look to secure their second title and the first since 2016.