Cristiano Ronaldo said it himself two years ago, he's a different beast to those around him.
While players his age break down, head out to play in China or the Middle East, Ronaldo barely breaks sweat. In fact, it can be argued that Ronaldo is better since turning 30 than he was before.
'I am a different athlete, a different person with a different brain,' he told France Football in 2018. After notching his 100th - and then his 101st - goal for Portugal on Tuesday night, few will argue with him.
Even Real Madrid's medical staff concluded that before he left in 2018 he had the body of a 23-year-old. If Ronaldo is in a foot race with Father Time he is winning by a country mile.
His blistering speed that saw him dazzle at Manchester United, and the early years with Real Madrid, is no longer his greatest facet. And yet, the goals do not dry up.
Peers and managers are running out of superlatives for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. Portugal boss Fernando Santos was simply left awestruck on a night that belonged to Ronaldo on Tuesday.
'What more can I say?' Santos laughed. 'A team that has the best in the world cannot be better without the best in the world.
'[Ronaldo] goes on breaking records and records and then, when everyone thinks he is going to finish, there are even more records to beat. He feeds on it.'
In terms of the national team, Ronaldo would still be the country's all-time leading scorer if his contribution post-30 was what counted.
Forty-nine goals since turning the landmark age five years ago keeps the Juventus star ahead of Pauleta (47), Eusebio (41), Luis Figo (32) and Nuno Gomes (29).
Ronaldo before turning 30 notched 52 goals in 118 games for Portugal. Ronaldo after turning 30 has 49 goals in 47 games.
Father Time really is playing catch-up, it seems. Ronaldo totalled up to 101 against Sweden and he really is the 'different' animal he spoke of. He is one of a kind to be marvelled at while he still delivers when it matters most.
In more general terms, Ronaldo has scored 276 goals since turning 30. Two hundred and seventy five. A truly staggering goal haul.
At Real Madrid it was no surprise to see him end up with more than 50 for club and country in a campaign.
Even 'slowing down' with Juventus, he scored 37 in all competitions for the club last season as they claimed a ninth straight Serie A title.
Take his trophy haul. He has won five Champions League titles in his illustrious career.
Incredibly, three of those came after turning 30 and in each of them Ronaldo played a key role. Real Madrid knocked off Atletico Madrid in Milan, Juventus in Cardiff and Liverpool in Kiev.
He scored the winning penalty to crush Atletico in a penalty shootout, put Juventus to the sword with a brace in the 4-1 masterclass and while it was all about Gareth Bale in Kiev, Ronaldo was instrumental in reaching the final, without him they simply would not have made it.
He added the Euro 2016 title, the 2019 Nations League trophy, two Ballon d'Or awards, two FIFA Club World Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, two Serie A titles, an Italian Super Cup, a Spanish Super Cup and a host of other individual accolades.
At Manchester United part of the appeal of Ronaldo was the stepovers, the trickery, the moment of magic that had the Stretford End on its feet.
That is no longer his game, for while he has maintained his exceptional level of production, he has cleverly evolved his game. And after Juventus wrapped up their ninth successive Serie A title, Brazilian icon Pele paid a special nod of approval to the Portuguese.
He tweeted: '@Cristiano is the modern athlete, who shows everyone that success always comes to those who are dedicated and love what they do.'
Manchester United's latest Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes could only fawn over his team-mate after his brace against Sweden on Tuesday. It is not just fans left speechless by what Ronaldo is still capable of producing.
'We know that [with Ronaldo] it is easier to reach the goal,' Fernandes said. 'He has a nose for goal and can solve a game at any time.
'That was what happened before half-time, in a free-kick situation. Just yesterday he had six or seven like that in training and today he did the same. It's great to have Cristiano. He makes any team stronger.'
VivaGaming
816
There's life after 30....? There's life even after 40. Ask Buffon.
sehajbains_02
657
Did you know? 👉Messi has 70 int. goals in 138 games with goal ratio(0.51) and Cristano has 101 goals in 165 games 👉 Pele, Maradona and Messi combined have 76 International goals in competitive matches whereas CR7 alone has 82 👉 Cristiano has 82 goal contribution (67 goals and 15 assists) in just 81 KO stage games, the most in the history 👉 Cristiano has 171 goal contribution (130 goals and 41 Assists) in 171 UCL games, the most 👉 Lewandowski has scored 66 goals in UCL and Cristano has 67 KO Stage goals 👉 Messi and Lewandoski combined have 69 KO stage goals and Cristano alone 67 👉 Messi and Raul combined have 41 KO stage goals . No Hate just stats which don't lie
CR7AK11
579
Ronaldo is best at everything in Footballs👏
DEVANCY
454
I AM A ROYAL CR7 FAN ....BUT HIS HAT TRICK AGAINST SPAIN IN WORLD CUP CHANGED DE GEA FROM BUFFON TO BRAVO
SIDKAUSH
428
Salute to Sir Alex for bringing the GOAT in the world of football
Petskyz
341
⚽CR7FOREVER⚽
316
Ronaldo started his career as a midfielder, then Sir Ferguson helped him to turn out as a winger and now he is playing as a proper goalscorer. if u were watching Ronaldo from his early career then u will know how skillfull he was, dribbling past each EPL defenders and also scoring some puskas award goal. Now when u see his gameplay it's looks little bit ugly just because he stays near the box and waits for the Ball. Zidane Will tell u the reason behind Ronaldo not involving in creating chances in league games and focusing more on scoring goals. Whereas In UCL matches Ronaldo create chances, he help team to in defence, he presses opponent but same thing he is not doing in league games just because he is now old and he have to look at his work rate to play longer. Haters Will always criticize him but true fans will always back their idols💯💓
sfffghhg
309
barca funs trying to express there feelings after seeing Ronaldo scoring goals like a machine will be like plz stop we know you are a real goat
usco50
167
let's take a moment and appreciate them, and pls stop arguing about who is better than who. They're both GOAT
Rehaman
142
impk415
22
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So proud to see Sunil Chhetri there.. among the highest paid footballers... he has excelled in his play and is a pride for all Indians...
Rene92
9
There's life after 30....? There's life even after 40. Ask Buffon.
The truth is the athletic concept has made people believe 30 years and above is being old, meanwhile generally you are still a very young man with solid bones right up till 40. Its as from 45 - 50 you begin to feel age especially for a sporter.
PrezMendex1
8
Ronaldo started his career as a midfielder, then Sir Ferguson helped him to turn out as a winger and now he is playing as a proper goalscorer. if u were watching Ronaldo from his early career then u will know how skillfull he was, dribbling past each EPL defenders and also scoring some puskas award goal. Now when u see his gameplay it's looks little bit ugly just because he stays near the box and waits for the Ball. Zidane Will tell u the reason behind Ronaldo not involving in creating chances in league games and focusing more on scoring goals. Whereas In UCL matches Ronaldo create chances, he help team to in defence, he presses opponent but same thing he is not doing in league games just because he is now old and he have to look at his work rate to play longer. Haters Will always criticize him but true fans will always back their idols💯💓
[image]
ur right man.. they have forgotten suddenly when Ronaldo do nothing put dribbling only.. he is the best in the world there is nothing person will tell me. will change my mind