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November 20, 2024
Ronaldo is not getting any younger and every time each season unfolds, the inevitable question pop up: Is this his final chapter?
For two decades, Cristiano Ronaldo has dominated international football, fascinating millions with his athleticism, precision, and relentless drive for victory. Now, as he terms it, the "last chapter" of his career, Ronaldo openly speaks for the first time about the emotional, physical, and mental process of dealing with the final stages of a sport that has consumed much of his life. At 39, Ronaldo is exceeding expectations on the pitch, proving he still has much to contribute. But as that inevitable finish line approaches, Ronaldo's thoughts on his career, his legacy, and what he plans to do when those days of whooping and hollering are over provide an eye-opening insight into the mind of a sporting great confronted with life after football.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Still great!:
Ronaldo looked back on his career with gratitude, appreciating all he had achieved and the sacrifices he had made so far in his career, from his childhood days in Madeira to his rise at Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He had lived a life of discipline, resilience, and the rigors of training. This career path had placed him among the record goal scorers, won him numerous honors, and ranked him among the best players in the world.
Yet, for all he has achieved, Ronaldo talks openly about the personal cost it takes to keep such success going. The rigorous schedules, intense media scrutiny, and physical wear and tear factors he maintained went with the territory of being at the top fell into consideration too, it would seem, as variables weighing upon his consideration of the 'final chapter' on this page. His words, speaking volumes in both pride and humility, convey both acceptance of an era's closure and a hopeful move forward.
Being in good shape has always been one of his central concerns, and everybody knows his serious gym training and very strict diet. But the thing is that with age, even for him, the load in football gets heavier and heavier.
But Ronaldo's commitment to fitness hasn't changed; what does is the recovery process, now longer and more specialized for avoiding injuries, he says. And so, this physical component is probably less scrutinized in the public account, but one he elaborates on here with a considerable passion for those adapting to the body's changing needs. Moreover, football places a significant mental toll on Ronaldo's level.
As much as he admits that every season, every match, carries the weights he has carried differently all these years, there's much that keeps him going inside all the while: his love for the game, his drive to give his best to his team. Then again, his journey has portrayed the importance of mental toughness and adaptability in cases of a successful and highly satisfying career.
The gulf in class that sets Ronaldo apart from the other all-time greats is simply the legacy he has built. His influence on football extends far beyond single clubs, leagues, or trophies. Ronaldo is not only an athlete but a global icon worshiped by millions. His dedication to greatness, to his brand, and the endorsement deals he's secured make him a household name throughout the world.
Nonetheless, Ronaldo's musings mean his vision is far from individual glory and material goods; he wants to go on being able to give his contribution to football and society in general, whether through youth development, charity projects, or guiding young athletes in their careers. For Ronaldo, this last chapter represents a transition from being an athlete to a role model for the new generation. Goals are pegged on what he can leave behind that may continue to inspire long after he has left the field.
Ronaldo's attention has now turned to life beyond football; embracing family and philanthropy becomes the priority in personal development. He has hinted that his ambition beyond football ranges from sports management and coaching down to business. To this effect, he has invaluable experiences and insight to share, and in trying to keep a direct link to the sport, he promised a lifetime commitment to the industry, which molded him.
More than career goals, Ronaldo points out, the most important issue is one's family. As much as he has invested in football during all these years-which means staying away from one's loved ones now, Ronaldo is focused on family building and building a structure for his kids once he stops playing football. Now, balancing personal ambition with family life has turned out to be important in Ronaldo's search for a meaningful and full future.
Ronaldo's frankness about his awareness of having reached the final chapter in his life, what a life, what legacy, what transition, is truly inspiring. He takes people inside the playbook of what it means to reach greatness and how one navigates gracefully through what's next. His is, of course, an inherently singular story, but it's filled with so many universal themes: resilience and change and the search for enduring presence. A career nearing its close brings his thoughts back to the relevance of savoring our journey and the creation of legacies that reach farther than personal accomplishment.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on November 22, against Al Quadisiya for the Saudi Pro League. You can watch Al Nassr vs Al Quadisiya, Milan vs Juventus, Celta de Vigo vs Barcelona, Brazil vs Uruguay, Argentina vs Peru and Hungary vs Germany, all matches provided from our live football game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Nassr vs Al Quadisiya kick-off time (18-11-2024):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 00:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 21:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 19:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 18:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 17:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 14:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 13:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 10:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / goal.com / bbc.com
