Despite having already cemented his legacy as one of football's greatest players, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to push boundaries and redefine excellence even as he approaches his 40th birthday. In a recent interview with La Sexta, the Portuguese superstar boldly claimed his position as the greatest footballer of all time, citing his impressive collection of trophies and goal-scoring achievements as evidence of his supremacy in the sport.
While Ronaldo's assertion has reignited debates about whether his pursuit of individual accolades sometimes overshadows team achievements, his former Manchester United teammate has come to his defense. The criticism often centers on Ronaldo's visible displays of frustration when things don't go according to plan on the pitch, with some portraying him as overly focused on personal glory.
"People need to understand sometimes - they look at him and think that he is the highest-paid, a good-looking guy - he is going to be selfish, etc. They are far from the truth," his defender stated emphatically. "He is a man who wants to be remembered forever. He has done nothing short of greatness. He has rejigged the record books in so many different categories within the game - physically, he has taken it to another planet, another stratosphere."
The passionate defense continued, highlighting Ronaldo's remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication: "What he is achieving, what he is doing, his age, his consistency over so many years. He doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. He has got more money than God. He has won more trophies than most. He has the most goals. He still wants to get up and see himself looking for that extra one per cent to be the best. He is just different. He is made different."
Currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo's immediate future is a subject of speculation as his current contract approaches its end in 2025. Reports suggest that the Saudi club is preparing to offer him an extraordinary contract extension worth €550,000 (£457,000/$568,000) per day, demonstrating the continuing value placed on his remarkable abilities and global appeal.
As he prepares for Al-Nassr's upcoming Saudi League match against Al Feiha on Friday, Ronaldo continues to demonstrate that age is merely a number, consistently pushing the boundaries of what's possible in football, even at 40 years old.
