RONALDO IS DETERMINED TO PROVE LIFE BEGINS AT 40

As Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his 40th birthday, his desire to push his limits and defy time remains unwavering. The Portugal legend has long been fascinated by longevity and fitness, often reaching out to his country's national team doctor, Jose Carlos Noronha, for recommendations on scientific articles related to nutrition and physical fitness.

Ronaldo's dedication to maintaining peak performance is evident in his approach to training and his continuous quest to learn more about how to sustain his incredible career.

Ronaldo’s obsession with his physical and mental fitness has made him a role model for athletes around the world. Noronha, who has known Ronaldo since his early days at Manchester United, describes him as “very inquisitive.” “He would ask me if there are any new scientific articles he could read about nutrition or other related topics,” Noronha recalls. “He's someone who does everything required to maintain the highest levels of fitness.” Ronaldo’s commitment to his craft is a testament to his determination to prove that age is just a number.

Despite turning 40, Ronaldo remains confident in his abilities, claiming that he is “the most complete player to have existed.” He stands firm in his belief that no one else compares to him, even while acknowledging the greatness of players like Messi, Pele, and Maradona. "I do everything well in football,” he stated recently. “I haven't seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart." His ambition shows no signs of slowing down, and his goal now is to continue playing at the highest level well into his 40s.

Looking back, Ronaldo’s journey to longevity in football is nothing short of extraordinary. A conversation with his former teammate Costinha from 2003, when Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal, highlights just how much he has surpassed his own expectations. At the time, Ronaldo had predicted he would play until 30 and then move on to something else. However, not only did he extend his career beyond that, but he also went on to score more goals in his 30s (460) than in his 20s (440), further defying expectations.

Now playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo is determined to achieve even more. He has set new personal milestones, including aiming to play in the 2026 World Cup and bring home the trophy, reaching 1,000 career goals (he currently has 923), and earning his 250th cap for Portugal (he has 217). A dream of his is also to share the pitch with his 14-year-old son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., who currently plays for Al-Nassr's youth teams.

As Ronaldo continues to defy the odds, his former Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro believes that the iconic forward could extend his career even further. "I'm convinced he'll continue for another one, two, or even three years," said Castro. Ronaldo’s relentless pursuit of excellence has already made history, and with his determination and relentless work ethic, it’s clear he is far from done.