Ronaldo issues a new challenge.

Cristiano Ronaldo will end 2025 with 41 goals for his club and national team.

That achievement is not just a number, but a declaration of a career that refuses to be deterred by time.

Ronaldo travels back in time.

No more superlatives are needed; 41 goals in a calendar year at the age of 40 is enough data to make the entire football world pause. In an era where strikers often decline sharply after the age of 33, Ronaldo remains a steadfast figure in the penalty area, still the final finishing touch in most of the attacks for the teams he plays for.

It's worth noting that Ronaldo no longer relies solely on speed. What he maintains is his positioning, finishing instinct, and a consistent intensity rarely seen in a player nearing the end of his career.

The 41 goals in 2025 will come from a variety of forms: headers in the box, rebounds at the far post, one-touch finishes after crosses. It's a simplified skill set optimized for the final stages of a career.

Looking at the data, Ronaldo is still averaging more than 3 shots per game in 2025. His shot accuracy rate remains around 55%.

In the penalty area, Ronaldo touches the ball an average of more than 7 times per 90 minutes. That's the statistic of a pure center forward, no longer a winger or a number 9 like during his peak at Real Madrid.

At the age of 40, Ronaldo has maintained a scoring record above 40 goals for three consecutive years.

Ronaldo's current scoring style evokes the image of a classic goalscorer. Less dribbling, less flashy moves, more decisiveness. He no longer creates chances from the wings, but waits for the right moment to appear at the right time.

Every move Ronaldo makes is calculated. Each burst of speed lasts only a few seconds, but it's enough to leave defenders behind.

Surpassing 40 goals for three consecutive years at the ages of 38, 39, and 40 is not the result of chance. It is the consequence of an extremely rigorous and scientifically- based physical preparation process.

Ronaldo consistently maintains a body fat percentage below 7%. Muscle mass is carefully controlled to avoid impacting his jumping ability. He is still expected to average over 0.7 goals per 90 minutes in 2025, a figure many young strikers can only dream of.

The most noticeable change is the tactical role. Ronaldo no longer presses relentlessly. He conserves his energy for decisive moments.

The team also structured its play around Ronaldo. Two wingers and an attacking midfielder were always tasked with getting the ball into his area of operation. In that system, Ronaldo didn't need to be too deeply involved in build-up play. He just needed to be in the right place at the right time.

The truth about Ronaldo at age 40

Those who once thought Ronaldo was past his prime need to reconsider. No one is saying he's still the most complete player in the world . But no one can deny that Ronaldo remains one of the most effective goalscorers. When a 40-year-old player is still consistently scoring goals at both club and international level, all norms regarding age are broken.

Ronaldo's current goal-scoring style evokes the image of a classic goalscorer.

The goal of 41 in 2025 also reflects an unwavering spirit. Ronaldo has never considered himself part of history. He sees each season as a new challenge.

In the dressing room, Ronaldo remains the first to arrive and the last to leave. In training, he maintains his strict discipline.

Perhaps what is most admirable is not the number of goals, but how Ronaldo has adapted over time. From an explosive winger, he transformed into a complete number 9. Then, from a complete number 9, he refined himself into a true "finishinger." Each stage has its own limitations. Ronaldo accepted that and restructured himself.

2025 ended with 41 goals. But that number isn't the end. It's another milestone in his journey of self-improvement. As football increasingly celebrates data and sports science, Ronaldo is living proof of an old truth: willpower remains the foundation of all greatness.

Source: https://znews.vn/ronaldo-gui-loi-thach-thuc-moi-post1615697.html