Ronaldo breaks the rules of aging

There are players who reach the top, then slowly step back in fading glory. There are also those who step to the other side of the career slope with pride - maintaining their image without destroying their legacy.

Ronaldo is the only one

Cristiano Ronaldo, however, chose neither path. He kept running, kept scoring, kept breaking records - and above all, kept defying time.

The goal against Germany in the Nations League semi-final early on June 5 not only brought Portugal to the final. It also closed a strange chapter of debt in CR7's illustrious career. Before that, Ronaldo had faced Germany 5 times and lost all of them. A statistic that he himself probably did not want to mention. And right at the moment when it seemed like the end of a journey, Ronaldo settled that debt in the most familiar way - scoring and winning.

40 years old, 220 international games, 137 goals for the national team, 937 goals in his entire career. All are records. But what is more remarkable is that Ronaldo does not stop.

It is a truth that few dare to admit: modern football elevates every player, but also shortens the lifespan of their career more than ever. Famous players rarely maintain their peak performance after the age of 33. But Ronaldo, after the age of 30, entered a period of rebirth.

85 goals for Portugal since the age of 30 is an extraordinary number. It is a record that most legends in history - from Puskas and Gerd Müller to Neymar and Kane - have not reached in their entire international careers. Ronaldo has not only extended football, he has redefined it.

Ronaldo shows no signs of stopping.

Against Germany, Ronaldo's scoring record was disappointing. One goal in 450 minutes. But then the goal just now increased the total to two in 540 minutes - and more importantly, helped Portugal defeat an opponent that had caused him the most pain.

England are now a team Ronaldo has never won against – but never lost to either – with three draws (including two penalties to Portugal). Even France – a team he has lost to four times – were beaten by him in the Euro 2016 final. The ghosts of the past are being “settled”. And Ronaldo, as if writing the final chapters of a hyphenated epic, has left no stone unturned.

1,000 goals - milestone or aspiration?

With 937 goals under his belt, Ronaldo is just 63 short of becoming the first player in football history to score 1,000 official goals. Both Pele and Romario have claimed to have reached the milestone, but most of those were in friendly or unofficial matches - and are not recognised by FIFA.

Last season, Ronaldo scored 35 goals for Al-Nassr - an impressive performance at any age, let alone at 40. If he maintains this number for the next two seasons, the 1,000 mark is no longer a pipe dream.

Of course, age is inevitable. But with Ronaldo, all rules can be bent. He is no longer a speedy striker, no longer dribbles or presses as passionately as before. But Ronaldo is always in the right place, at the right time, at the right decisive moment. That is instinct - and also the legacy of 20 years of playing at the top level.

With Ronaldo, all rules can be bent.

After the upcoming Nations League final, Ronaldo's club future remains unclear. His current contract with Al-Nassr expires in the summer. His comments, "This chapter is closed. The story is still being written," have led many to believe he will leave Saudi Arabia. There are rumors that he will join another team for the FIFA Club World Cup, possibly even Botafogo (Brazil).

However, the latest sources confirm that Ronaldo is considering extending his contract with Al-Nassr until he is 42 years old. And honestly, no one dares to put a limit on him anymore.

When the greatest names have retired, when legends are just tapes, Ronaldo is still there - scoring, winning, and challenging the definition of football immortality. 1,000 goals is only a matter of time. But the story of Cristiano Ronaldo - perhaps will never end.

Source: https://znews.vn/ronaldo-pha-vo-quy-luat-lao-hoa-post1558420.html