Despite now being 38 years of age, Cristiano Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down as a footballer. Now at Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, he has been lighting things up so far this season, racking up a remarkable 10 goals and five assists in just eight matches.
Ronaldo still considers himself to be in peak condition, so much so that he has decided to push back plans to retire from playing, as per MD. Previously, it was expected that he would hang up his boots not long after Euro 2024 next summer, but he now wants to keep playing until 2027.
Ronaldo wants Al-Nassr to offer him a new contract which takes him through to 2027. This is because he wants to keep playing until at least the 2026 World Cup in North America, so that he can become the latest player to play at five World Cups.
Former Barcelona player and current Barca Atletic head coach Rafa Marquez is one of four male footballers to have achieved this, and Ronaldo hopes to add himself to a list that also featured Lothar Matthaus and Gianluigi Buffon.
Whether Ronaldo does indeed decide to do this remains to be seen, but it is a testament to the former Real Madrid man’s mentality and physical attributes that he sees himself playing into his 40s.
Feodikmsz
742
2026 will make it the 6th world cup
Mangisha
422
See, one can only have the need to prove themselves if they know there is someone/thing better than them, whom they have to better. With all the achievements of Ronaldo, Messi they have had, it would be wise to slow down and let the youngsters take over. If a player like Ronaldo or Messi still is in the team aged 40, when is a player in their 20s going to be given the chance? Ronaldo shd be thinking abt retirement. He will never match Messi's #s (individual and team trophies), he has done so well for himself.
Nash_FCB
391
Dude is still fighting hard to score his first World Cup KO goal, even if it means playing till 2050🤣🤣🤣🤣
shollyboro
344
The Goat 🐐 football... Ronaldo to the world!!! phenomenon
behabeinop
341
Portugal won't even select him that year