Ronaldo Sets Sights On Playing Beyond 40, Motivated By Young Talent

Cristiano Ronaldo remains undeterred in his pursuit of excellence, expressing his continued motivation to compete with emerging talents in football. The Portuguese star is reportedly contemplating a contract extension with Al-Nassr, which would keep him at the Saudi Pro League club until June 2026, extending his career past his 41st birthday.

Ronaldo has had a prolific season, netting 42 goals in 41 appearances for Al-Nassr. Speaking on the Whoop podcast, he shared his thoughts on maintaining high performance levels. "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," Ronaldo said. "If you look at my career for the last 20 years, my level is high. If you are top for 20 years, it's unbelievable. I do that, and I continue to do that. For me, it's a big achievement."

Ronaldo's career statistics are staggering. He has scored an impressive 891 goals and holds the record as the all-time leading scorer in men's international football with 128 goals. His drive to continue playing is evident. "My biggest motivation is to carry on," he added. "It's not easy to be at this level. To still push, to still motivate, to carry on, to score goals, to be in good shape, to compete with the young lions that are coming and that when they play against me, they want to show me that they are stronger and faster than me."

Ronaldo emphasized the importance of preparation and consistency in maintaining his performance. "You have to prepare very well, not just physically but mentally, too. This is the challenge," he explained. "Talent without work is nothing and work without talent is nothing. They have to work together at the same time. I have both. I can't say that I have more of one than the other."

He also highlighted the significance of discipline in achieving long-term success. "Small details will make the difference," Ronaldo noted. "Consistency is the most difficult thing. Are you willing to do that? That's the main point because everyone wants to be Cristiano, but doing it is difficult. Discipline is the most difficult thing."

Ronaldo's commitment to his craft and his ability to stay motivated despite his age sets a benchmark for athletes worldwide. His potential contract extension with Al-Nassr signifies his intent to continue competing at a high level and contributing significantly to his team.