As Portugal's football legend Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his 40th birthday, he shows no signs of slowing down, maintaining his characteristic confidence and ambition that have defined his illustrious career.
"I think I'm the most complete player to have existed," Ronaldo declared on Spanish TV just days before his milestone birthday. "In my opinion, I think it's me. I do everything well in football." His self-assurance remains unwavering, even as he enters his fifth decade.
The journey to this point has been nothing short of extraordinary. While a young Ronaldo once told teammate Costinha that he planned to retire at 30, he went on to defy expectations by scoring more goals in his 30s (460) than in his 20s (440). This remarkable achievement underscores his exceptional longevity in the sport.
His dedication to maintaining peak performance is well-documented. Portugal's national team doctor, Jose Carlos Noronha, reveals that Ronaldo frequently requests scientific articles about nutrition and fitness. "He's someone who does everything required to maintain the highest levels of physical and mental fitness. He's a true example," Noronha explains.
The Al-Nassr forward's ambitions remain sky-high. His current goals include playing in the 2026 World Cup, reaching 1,000 career goals (he currently has 923), achieving 250 Portugal caps (currently at 217), and potentially sharing the pitch with his 14-year-old son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., who plays for Al-Nassr's youth teams.
Former Manchester United performance coach Mick Clegg places Ronaldo in rarefied company, comparing him to historical geniuses. "I think Cristiano Ronaldo is in the league of Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Nikola Tesla, and Stephen Hawking. They are all geniuses, and he is a genius," Clegg asserts.
Beyond the pitch, Ronaldo is building a substantial business empire. Through his company CR7 SA, he has doubled his majority shareholdings in the past two years, now holding stakes in 21 different enterprises across various sectors including TV channels, hotels, hair transplant clinics, and padel sports facilities.
His impact extends beyond personal achievements. For Portugal, a relatively small nation, Ronaldo has transformed the national team's mentality and global standing. As Joao Aroso, a former Portugal assistant coach, notes, "He allows our small country to be known worldwide for something great - because of Cristiano and all the positive things he stands for."
Looking ahead, Ronaldo faces decisions about his future at Al-Nassr, with a lucrative offer that could make him a co-owner of the Saudi team. However, his competitive spirit remains undimmed. "I'm still very young, I have so many plans and dreams ahead," he declared at the Globe Soccer Awards ceremony, adding, "I'll be the owner of a big club, for sure."
His former Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro believes Ronaldo could continue playing for "another one, two, or even three years." Given Ronaldo's track record of defying expectations and his mantra that "there are no impossibilities," few would bet against him continuing to push the boundaries of what's possible in football, even as he enters his fifth decade.
