Ronaldo, 39, wants to to defy age, continue career
Credit to Author: Adriana Garcia| Date: Thu, 16 May 2024 15:43:39 EST
Cristiano Ronaldo has said he has no plans of slowing down at the age of 39 and added that he is motivated to carry on competing with the “young lions” that are coming through in the game.
“I feel proud to have this age and still compete at the highest level,” Ronaldo said on the Whoop Podcast on Wednesday, “It’s great and it gives me motivation to carry on.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
“If you look at my career for the last 20 years, my level is high. If you are top for 20 years, it’s unbelievable.
“I do that and I continue to do that. For me it’s a big achievement.”
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star has scored 891 goals in his career and is the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 128 goals.
Ronaldo has maintained that level of performance this season and netted 42 goals in 41 appearances for Al Nassr across all competitions.
“My biggest motivation is to carry on,” he said.
“It’s not easy to be at this level. To still push, to still motivate, to carry on, to score goals, to be in good shape, to compete with the young lions that are coming and that when they play against me, they want to show me that they are stronger and faster than me. You have to prepare very well not just physically but mentally, too. This is the challenge.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he believes that besides talent and work ethic, the key to a long career is consistency.
“Talent without work is nothing and work without talent is nothing,” he said.
“They have to work together at the same time. I have both. I can’t say that I have more of one than the other.
“Small details will make the difference. Consistency is the most difficult thing.
“Are you willing to do that? That’s the main point because everyone wants to be Cristiano, but doing it is difficult. Discipline is the most difficult thing.
“I fight against my mind sometimes, we are all human beings. Of course, I don’t like going to the gym every day, no one does, but you have to do it.”
On Thursday, Ronaldo topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time. Forbes said his estimated total earnings were in the region of $260 million, an all-time high for a soccer player.