Cristiano Ronaldo reflects on retirement and what he will miss

Cristiano Ronaldo, now 39, once contemplated retiring at the age of 30, as revealed by former Portugal teammate Costinha. This conversation took place years ago, but Ronaldo's dedication to football has led him to continue playing at a high level well beyond that age. He started the 2014/15 season with Real Madrid, scoring in 11 consecutive La Liga matches and winning his fourth European Golden Shoe with 61 goals that season. His post-30 career has been remarkable, including three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018 and breaking Eusebio's international goal record in 2016. As he approaches his 40th birthday in February, Ronaldo remains a key player for Al-Nassr, having set the Saudi Pro League single-season goal record last term. He also reached the milestone of 900 career goals with his strike for Portugal against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League. Costinha expressed confidence in Ronaldo's ability to reach the 1000-goal mark, depending on various factors, but believes he will strive for it if given the opportunity. In a recent interview, Ronaldo reflected on his long career, stating that he has dedicated his body to football for 25 years. He acknowledged that he can still produce good performances for another two or three years but is reluctant to think beyond that. His commitment to the sport has been unwavering, and he does not foresee himself being emotional about retirement, emphasizing his focus on the present and future. Ronaldo's journey illustrates not only his exceptional talent but also his relentless pursuit of excellence, which has allowed him to defy age and continue to make significant contributions to the game. His legacy is marked by numerous records and accolades, solidifying his status as one of football's all-time greats.