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Cristiano Ronaldo has acknowledged that he is genuinely "nearing the end" of his playing days, even as he continues to "enjoy" the thrill of competitive football.
The 41-year-old had a moment of contemplation after netting in Al Nassr's crucial and controversial win over Al Ahli, bringing a Saudi Pro League title within reach. With a first major honor in the Kingdom on the horizon and what could be his final World Cup appearance coming this summer, Ronaldo conceded that time would inevitably catch up with him.
"The end of my career is drawing near," Al Nassr's skipper told Canal GOAT following the match, "let's savor every game."
Ronaldo's well-taken header against Al Ahli was his 25th league goal of the campaign, marking the 15th time he has reached that milestone in a single season. "My career has been extraordinary, and I want it to stay that way," he said candidly. "I'm still enjoying myself, I'm still finding the net."
"But most importantly," Ronaldo continued, "it's about lifting trophies. And we're absolutely hungry to win the league."
Al Nassr have stretched their lead at the top of the table to eight points over Al Hilal, who hold a game in hand. Ronaldo's team face their nearest challengers on May 12 in a fixture that could secure his first top-tier title in Saudi Arabia — and the eighth of his professional career — if the title hasn't already been confirmed by that point.
"I keep playing not just for this generation, but for the one before it and the one yet to come. I cherish it day by day, match by match, year after year, even now as I approach the twilight of my career. That is simply the truth."
What Is There Left for Cristiano Ronaldo to Achieve in Soccer?
The legendary tale depicts Alexander the Great gazing out over his vast empire with tears rolling down his cheeks. "And Alexander wept," the story goes, "for there were no more worlds to conquer."
Of course, that never actually occurred — Alexander had far from conquered every world — yet the idea that achievement alone does not bring fulfilment may be something Ronaldo can relate to. Still, there remains one monumental conquest to pursue before the greatest of his era can afford to drift into existential reflection.
As much as the absence of a major Saudi title may have gnawed at him, the most glaring gap in Ronaldo's trophy collection is undeniably a World Cup. The Portugal star's shortcomings on football's biggest stage were only made more painful by the triumph of his eternal rival, Lionel Messi, at the 2022 World Cup.
Ronaldo's Trophy Cabinet
Type | Titles |
|---|---|
International | x1 European Championship, x2 Nations League |
Continental Club | x5 Champions League, x4 Club World Cup |
Domestic Top Flight | x3 Premier League, x2 La Liga, x2 Serie A |
Domestic Cup | x1 FA Cup, x2 Copa del Rey, x1 Coppa Italia, x2 English League Cup |
Individual | x5 Ballon d'Or, x2 The Best |
Scoring | x1 Puskás Award, x4 European Golden Shoe, x7 Top-Flight Top Scorer |
This summer could represent Ronaldo's finest opportunity to conquer that final frontier. The increasingly less mobile forward has been fortunate to have a talented young generation of compatriots capable of doing the legwork to compensate for their icon. Vitinha and João Neves form the engine room of defending European champions Paris Saint-Germain, where they are joined by exceptional left back Nuno Mendes.
Bruno Fernandes has been producing the finest football of his career at Manchester United, while there is no shortage of wide options to feed Ronaldo, who has served as a source of inspiration for so many of his younger countrymen. Much like Messi's Argentina, Portugal also boast a penalty-stopping specialist in goal in the shape of Diogo Costa. It comes as little surprise that they are considered genuine contenders for the ultimate prize this summer.
Predicting Ronaldo's Retirement Date
Even if Portugal claim the nation's maiden World Cup title and Ronaldo completes his collection of personal accolades, there remains one further target for the record-breaker to pursue — roughly 30 more goals, to be precise.
The all-time leading scorer in documented football history is not satisfied with that distinction alone; Ronaldo has revealed he intends to keep going until his career tally reaches 1,000 goals.
The prolific striker brought his total to 970 with that header against Al Ahli in late April. Given that he has fallen short of 30 goals in only two of the past 17 seasons, there is a strong possibility Ronaldo reaches four figures before the end of next campaign — which also happens to coincide with the expiry of his Al Nassr contract, providing a fitting conclusion to his Saudi Arabian chapter.