Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo recently opened up about his plans of not slowing down at the age of 39 and remains eager to compete with "young lions" in upcoming matches.
In a recent podcast interview, Ronaldo declared his determination to maintain his competitive edge despite his age, stating, "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."
He added, "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."
With an impressive career tally of 891 goals and holding the title of the all-time leading scorer in men's international football with 128 goals, Ronaldo remains a formidable force on the field.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star has maintained that level of performance this season and netted 42 goals in 41 appearances for Al Nassr across all competitions.
Ronaldo further emphasised, "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. You have to prepare very well not just physically but mentally, too. This is the challenge."
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner underscored the importance of both talent and work ethic in sustaining a successful career, stating, "Talent without work is nothing and work without talent is nothing."
Furthermore, Ronaldo's commitment to his craft has been recognized financially, as he recently topped Forbe's list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time.
With estimated earnings reaching approximately $260 million, Ronaldo's financial success further underscores his status as one of the most influential figures in global sports.
