RONALDO OPENS UP TO RIO FERDINAND

Cristiano Ronaldo has shared his thoughts on life after football in a candid conversation with former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, alongside legends like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Pele, Ronaldo is now in the twilight of his remarkable career, though he continues to compete at the highest levels.

At 39, Ronaldo recently featured for Portugal in his sixth European Championship tournament at Euro 2024 in Germany and is expected to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Currently playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has continued to demonstrate his ability, scoring an impressive 62 goals in 69 appearances since his move in 2023, following a highly publicized exit from Manchester United.

In a discussion on his YouTube channel, Ronaldo sat down with Ferdinand to reflect on what life might look like once he eventually steps away from football. Despite nearing 40, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has no immediate plans to retire, admitting that he will miss the "adrenaline" and "nervous" energy that football has provided throughout his career.

“I’m not going to have the adrenaline… or to be nervous, I think I’m going to miss that,” Ronaldo said. “Because other parts, I’m in good control. I have good people around me, I have good business, I have good things, a good income. But I think the adrenaline of football is never going to exist more.”

Ronaldo spoke about his determination to continue playing for a few more years, emphasizing how his commitment to self-care has allowed him to extend his career. “With 40s, you say, ‘I give everything,’ do you understand? 40 or 41 or 42, it doesn’t matter. You say, ‘I give my body for 25 years of football, I cannot give more because the age doesn’t allow [me] to go further,’ for example.”

Ronaldo’s dedication to maintaining his fitness and performance at the highest level has been a hallmark of his career. He explained that he is driven to make the most of the time he has left in football. “This is why I’m extending my longevity and this is why I take care of myself, keep working, because I know that [in] two or three years more, I still can produce something good.”

While Ronaldo remains focused on his playing career, it’s clear that he is also preparing for life beyond the pitch. The Portuguese icon is confident in his ability to transition into the next phase of his life, thanks to the strong support system and business ventures he has cultivated throughout his career. However, as he acknowledged, nothing will quite replace the thrill of the game that has defined his life for so long.