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WHAT HAPPENED?
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still going strong for Portugal and Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr, but will turn 40 in February 2025. Most players have hung up their boots long before reaching that point, and retirement is no longer a distant thought for CR7.
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GettyWHAT RONALDO SAID
He is eager to play on for as long as possible, with admissions being made when it comes to historic goal targets, but Ronaldo does now have to take each day and game as it comes. He has said: “I now face my life as living in the moment. I can’t think long term anymore.
“I said publicly that I wanted to reach 1,000 goals, but it seems that now everything is easy, just last month I reached 900. It’s about living in the moment, seeing how my legs will respond in the next few years. If I reach 1,000 goals, that’s fine, but if I don’t, I’m already the player with the most goals in history.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ronaldo was speaking at a glitzy awards ceremony that saw him presented with the highest honour available to Portuguese players. Fernando Gomes, president of the FPF, said when handing out that prize: “The most prestigious trophy is the Platinum Quinas, and if there is an ambassador for Portugal who deserves it, it is undoubtedly Cristiano Ronaldo.
“He has served the Portuguese national team for over 20 years. If there is someone who has demonstrated love for representing the Portuguese team, it is Cristiano Ronaldo. An outstanding ambassador who feels the jersey and feels Portugal.”
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GettyWHAT NEXT?
Ronaldo has earned 216 caps for his country, scoring 133 goals. There has been talk of him extending a record-breaking career through to the 2026 World Cup finals, but he will need to maintain form and fitness in order to make that possible.
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