Burning up the Pitch at 40: Cristiano Ronaldo Slays Critics and Takes Revenge
Elderly Ronaldo Silences Critics, Retaliates
Football god, Cristiano Ronaldo, is still ticking. His moves on the field are swift, precise, and captivating, leaving fans spellbound. But isn't he past his prime at 40?
It's like a video game. Ronaldo sprints. His actions are still lightning-fast, agile, meticulous. He takes those mammoth strides he's always been known for. During the Nations League semi-final against the German team, the Portuguese captain takes his first shot during warm-up. The fans stand at the ready, and he hasn't even touched the ball yet. The rain in Munich may have delayed the action, but the shot left much to be desired, barely grazing the goal post.
When Circus Ronaldo comes to town, it takes on extraordinary proportions. In Munich, it feels like every resident owns a CR7 jersey. Before the game, the stadium's video walls nearly display every one of his actions. A step-over makes the fans, and let me tell you, they're not exaggerating, go wild with cheers. Smartphone cameras follow his every step like sunflowers tracking the sun.
Critics may say this is a bit excessive, but Numbers don't lie. Over two decades, Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro has redefined football. Just his national team record shows that he's produced "crazy numbers," as DFB captain Joshua Kimmich marveled. That might even be an understatement. Since his debut, Ronaldo has played 220 games for Portugal, scoring an astonishing 137 goals.
The One CR7 Moment
But Ronaldo's debut for Portugal was over two decades ago, in 2003. Isn't he too old for this circus at 40? Throughout the first 68 minutes of the game, Ronaldo seems distant, almost detached. Pulking through the midfield, his few touches are celebrated, but they have little impact on the game. He is mostly guarded by German defender Robin Koch, making Team Portugal seem short-handed.
However, the game changes when Ronaldo strikes. Coach Julian Nagelsmann had warned about this last week. In the box, CR7 is still deadly. And it happens: ball from the side, Ronaldo perfectly maneuvers himself in the middle, and casually slots the ball into the empty net. The stadium erupts, 2:1. The CR7 moment. He's never beaten the German team before, his goal ends that streak, and it felt like revenge for the past 20 years of defeats against Germany.
Dark Clouds and Individual Criticism
Even after such an electrifying goal, there will always be criticism. The doubters are silenced after his performance in Munich. Lacking tempo? Poor timing? It doesn't matter. During the European Championship last year, Ronaldo wasn't much help to his team, even missing a penalty in the round of 16 against Slovenia. However, he surely knows better than to let that tarnish his legacy. Over 800 goals in club competitions, Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer, he's the record holder for most appearances, goals, and assists in the Champions League.
The Allure of CR7 Persists
Despite controversial claims about Saudi Arabia's sportswashing project and its difficult human rights record, the impact of CR7 has contributed substantially to the nation. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, and Ronaldo has become the top scorer at Al-Nassr FC, scoring 99 goals in 111 appearances. However, they haven't won a title yet.
Ronaldo's reign with Al-Nassr may be coming to an end, and he has hinted at a change. On Instagram, he wrote, "The story continues." He's grateful to Al-Nassr for everything, but it's time to move on, with his sights set on the Club World Cup in the US, which begins in a few days. Will he find a club that can make his dreams a reality?
A Tour de Force in the Football World
At the age of 40, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a force to be reckoned with on the world stage of football. He currently holds the record for the most goals scored in the Saudi Pro League and has been a guiding force for Portugal. With his exceptional performance in Munich and his ongoing journey, the world is yet to see what he has in store for us.
Source: ntv.de
- Football
- Football National Team
- DFB
- Portugal
- Munich
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Club World Cup 2025
Enrichment Data:
At the age of 40, Cristiano Ronaldo is still actively playing for Al-Nassr FC in the Saudi Pro League and captaining the Portugal national team. Here's an overview of his current status, recent performances, and future plans:
Current Status
- Club Performance: Ronaldo has been exceptional for Al-Nassr, scoring 64 goals in 64 Saudi Pro League appearances and setting a new goal-scoring record in the league by netting 35 goals in the 2023-24 season[2]. As of the 2024/25 campaign, he has scored 33 goals in 39 games across all competitions[4].
- International Performance: With Portugal, Ronaldo continues to be a key figure, having scored 136 goals in 219 games for his country[4]. He is set to participate in the Nations League finals in Germany this summer.
Future Plans
- Nations League Finals: Ronaldo will be aiming to excel in the upcoming Nations League finals, helping Portugal secure a good finish.
- World Cup Preparations: He is focused on the 2026 World Cup, though there might be some uncertainty due to his age and possible club changes. There are rumors about a potential summer exit from Al-Nassr, but no clear plans have been announced yet[4].
- Despite the ongoing discussion about the age of 40, Cristiano Ronaldo's current employment policy in the football world, particularly with Al-Nassr FC and the Portugal national team, continues to be energized and effective, as demonstrated by his impressive goal-scoring records.
- As the Club World Cup 2025 approaches, football fans worldwide eagerly anticipate Cristiano Ronaldo's participation, fueled by his passion for the sport and his unrelenting commitment to achieving success in every tournament he joins, regardless of his age or current employment policy.
