“If you are top for 20 years, it’s unbelievable” - Cristiano Ronaldo makes big claim on retirement in new podcast appearance
Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that he has no intentions of retiring soon as he edges closer to 40.
The 39-year-old striker continues to perform at a high level for his Saudi Arabian club and has scored 42 goals while assisting 12 from 41 appearances this season.
Speaking about playing at this level and his retirement, Ronaldo told the Whoop Podcast (via CBS Sports):
"I feel proud to have this age and still compete at the highest level. It's great and it gives me motivation to carry on. If you look at my career for the last 20 years, it's unbelievable. I do that and I continue to do that. For me, it's a big achievement."
"It's not easy to be at this level. To still push, to still motivate, to carry on, and the goals, to be in good shape, to compete with the young lions that are coming and when they play against me, they want to show me that they are stronger and faster than me," he added.
"You have to prepare well not just physically but mentally too. This is the challenge," Ronaldo continued.
Ronaldo will next be in action for Al-Nassr in a league match against Al-Hilal on Friday (May 17). They've already lost out on the league title, sitting second and 12 points short of the leaders, Al-Hilal, with three games remaining in the campaign.
The former Manchester United striker will then join Portugal for the European Championships in the summer.
Georgina Rodriguez made a huge claim about Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement in March
Cristiano Ronaldo's girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, who has been with the Portuguese sensation since 2016, made a huge claim about the former's retirement in March.
The Spanish model, who knows the five-time Ballon d'Or winner quite well, was asked about Ronaldo's retirement during her appearance at Paris Fashion Week.
Responding to the query, Rodriguez said (via Mundo Deportivo):
"Cristiano, one more year, then it's over. Maybe two, I don't know."
Should Ronaldo put an end to his stellar career shortly, he will have several notable accomplishments to look back on. The ex-Real Madrid man has won the UEFA Champions League five times, along with three Premier League and two La Liga titles.
He has bagged 757 goals and 237 assists in his senior club career across 1009 appearances across competitions.