Overcoming age
At the age of 40, when many players have hung up their boots and sought life after football, Cristiano Ronaldo is still the captain of the Portuguese national team, leading the younger generation to the final of the UEFA Nations League 2024/25.
This time the opponent is Spain – a name that is not unfamiliar in the historical confrontations of European football (2am on June 9). There have been 40 meetings between them, Portugal has only won 6, lost 18 and has not won since 2010.
But beyond the professional factor, all eyes are on the legendary captain of “Lusos” – a man whose influence seems to defy any natural laws.
Ronaldo entered the tournament with doubts from the public. Age, the less competitive tournament in Saudi Arabia and the emergence of young talent made many believe that CR7's peak period was over.
Like many other times in his career, Ronaldo did not argue but responded with action.
In the 2024/25 season, while playing for Al Nassr, Ronaldo won the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot, with 25 goals, surpassing even younger names like Ivan Toney and former teammate Karim Benzema.
That achievement not only reflects his natural goal-scoring ability, but also shows the professionalism, discipline and boundless desire that still burns within him.
Ronaldo has improved his performance even more in the Portuguese national team . Under coach Roberto Martinez, he scored 19 goals in 24 matches – an average of 0.79 goals per match.
This is the highest scoring ratio with any coach that CR7 has worked for, in an international career spanning more than two decades.
Roberto Martinez is finding the optimal way to help him focus on decisive situations.
His intelligence in playing style , combined with the new generation of Portuguese talent - notably conductor Vitinha - and his extensive experience help CR7 always be effective in front of the opponent's goal.
Immortal model
For many players, 40 is the end of the line. But for Cristiano (or Luka Modric), it's just a number. He still jumps higher than the opposing defense, still makes impressive sprints in the final minutes.
Physical strength is one thing, but a will of steel is what helps Ronaldo fight aging – not only of his body, but also in the eyes of fans and experts.
After Spain beat France 5-4 in the Nations League semi-final in Stuttgart, coach Luis de la Fuente mentioned the captain of the “ Heróis do Mar” (one of the team's nicknames).
“I often use Cristiano as an example for my players, because he is a model of hard work, discipline and desire. Ronaldo is an icon for a whole generation,” De la Fuente praised.
In a young, cohesive and deep Spain squad, they understand that stopping Ronaldo is not just about containing a striker, but facing a legend who is eager to write the final great chapters of his proud career.
Ronaldo won EURO 2016, UEFA Nations League 2019, 5 Golden Balls, almost every possible club title with MU and Real Madrid.
He continues to contribute to the goal of winning the 2nd Nations League for Portugal, a stepping stone for the historical aspiration: conquering the 2026 World Cup.
CR7 once said: "I will play football until my heart stops beating" . He spreads his aspiration to the team, where he is still the center, both professionally and spiritually.
This is Ronaldo's fourth final in more than two decades with Portugal, after EURO 2004 and 2016, Nations League 2018/19.
There is a remarkable statistic: in the times “Lusos” reached the final, Ronaldo always scored in the semi-finals. Conversely, in the semi-finals where he was silent, Portugal also stopped.
At the Allianz Arena, Cristiano will face the new icons that Spain possesses, a group of players that every football country dreams of: Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Pau Cubarsi, Dean Huijsen...
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/bo-dao-nha-dau-tay-ban-nha-bieu-tuong-bat-tu-ronaldo-2408969.html
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