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Elderly Ronaldo Silences Critics, Aims Retaliation

Persists at the Age of 40

Phones are confiscated prior to the performance of hymns on the stage.
Phones are confiscated prior to the performance of hymns on the stage.

Ageless Phenom: Cristiano Ronaldo Roars into the Late Game, Avenge Past Losses against Germany

Elderly Ronaldo Silences Critics, Aims Retaliation

Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Telegram Tumblr E-Mail Copy Link Get Whatsapp Link The fervor surrounding the legendary soccer titan Cristiano Ronaldo never seems to simmer, with each move celebrated by adoring fans, even in the thrilling Nations League semi-final win against the German squad.

In Munich, blending into the backdrop like a vintage arcade game, we find the 40-year-old artist—Ronaldo—his lighting-fast strides barely slowing with his years. He takes the field, his body tensed as he prepares to awe the masses. Although the crowd had to wait a bit due to the hailstorm, his first shot during warm-up stirred the masses to action, even if it fell short of the goal.

Just as every last carnival has its main attraction, so does the world of national football teams. Every few weeks, the apostles of a nation gather anew in a foreign land, aiming to entertain and seize hardware. However, when Circus Ronaldo is in town, the concepts of normalcy and modesty swiftly fade into the distance. Quite suddenly, the city of Munich adorns themselves in CR7 jerseys, and the colossal video displays peppered throughout the stadium seem to be in a continuous chase after the legendary athlete. A simple step-over sends the fans, quite literally, wild, with the deafening roar of "Siuu" traveling far and wide, and cameras twirling in hot pursuit.

Soccer Behind the Scenes: Nagelsmann's Post-Game Viewpoint "Longest Ten Minute Slump in my Career" And yet it seems incongruous. Over two decades ago, Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro started his journey to icon status, shaping entire sectors of the sport. For the Portuguese national team, he's racked up "crazy numbers," as DFB captain Joshua Kimmich testified. Numbers he's been piling up since his debut in 2003, with over 220 caps and an astounding 137 goals scored[3]. Indeed, it's a testament to his legendary prowess.

A CR7 Moment of Magic

And yet, age was expected to catch up with him—a pithy 40 wielding the might of lightning, mere minutes from retiring to the sidelines. But Ronaldo's form in Munich dismantled such notions with a flourish of style. For a full 68 minutes, he patrolled the midfield, methodically dissecting the German defense. Indeed, his few touches—whilst still garnering fervent applause—lacked the power to disrupt the rivals' momentum[3].

Such was the story until the final 68 minutes. The clock struck the threshold, and Ronaldo's presence climbed to the cloudy Munich sky as if propelled by an unseen force. The ball arced towards him, catching him precisely between the German defenders. His body shifted, leaving behind a vapor trail, and he sent the ball into the empty net. The stadium erupted in euphoria, as the almost-impossible had occurred—Ronaldo had breached the Bastion of Germany[3]. It was sweet redemption for 20 years of losses against their nemesis, a bitter taste now transformed into sheer elation.

Soccer Epilogue: Clouds Clear, Leaving Individual Triumphs in Their Wake An immutable truth: the point-scorer reigns supreme. The doubters, now silenced by performance, can only look on in disbelief. It was not a matter of tempo, nor a question of timing. Even as the great Ronaldo occasionally seemed like a parody of his former self, he commanded reverence for his ability to defy age and gravity[3]. During the European Championship last year, he was a weight anchor slowing the Portuguese advance. The 2022 World Cup saw his influence wane when Portugal shone brightest in his absence.

"There's Always Room for CR7"

But Ronaldo scored, and he always had. With over 800 club goals[1] and the all-time leading scorer for Real Madrid[5], he's etched his place in football lore as a relentless, dedicated force. Like a phoenix, he rises, defying all odds and criticism.

And still, the spotlight illuminates his every move. Even cooperative goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen concedes, "It's easy to follow what he's doing[1]," even if it meant treading the desert sands of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi sportswashing project has flourished under his influence, with Ronaldo becoming a cornerstone of Al-Nassr FC—scoring 99 goals in 111 appearances, once again demonstrating his unparalleled skill[2]. Yet, they could not catch the elusive trophy.

That's why Ronaldo has decided to move on, his sights set on new horizons. On Instagram, he asserted, "The story continues[4]," expressing gratitude for his time with Al-Nassr but also voicing his desire to seek new challenges. Al-Nassr is not willing to let him go, but negotiations seem unlikely to produce a suitable agreement[4]. Ronaldo's eyes are on the Club World Cup, which is set to commence in the United States in a matter of days. He seeks a club that will guide him towards the trophy, and Al-Nassr—regrettably— fails to meet that qualification.

Soccer The World Stage Expands as Infantino Announces the XXL Club World Cup But as Ronaldo embarks on his quest, FIFA president Gianni Infantino will be there, locked arm in arm with the legendary athlete. Infantino has orchestrated a tournament meant to eclipse all others[6], grander and more all-encompassing than any spectacle preceding it—with the Club World Cup of 2025 poised to steamroll onto the world stage. With Infantino serving as the string-puller, the tournament's popularity and prestige are expected to surge[6].

But as the curtain falls in Munich's Allianz Arena and Ronaldo slips away into the night, the world awaits his next move. Will he write a new chapter in the annals of soccer history, or will the enigmatic Ronaldo retreat into the shadows, only to return with a flourish? Only the games to come can unveil the answers.

Source: ntv.de

  • Soccer
  • Football National Team
  • DFB
  • Portugal
  • Munich
  • Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Club World Cup 2025
  1. The community policy should address the increasing digital presence of soccer fans, ensuring appropriate conduct on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Telegram, Tumblr, and E-Mail during live games, especially during high-profile matches such as Cristiano Ronaldo's recent Nations League victory.
  2. The employment policy within the football industry should strive to accommodate the evolving needs of its athletes, providing them with continued support and opportunities even in the later stages of their careers, such as Cristiano Ronaldo's recent signing with Al-Nassr FC, demonstrating that even at 40, top-tier talent can still make significant contributions to the sport.

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