Ronaldo and the lesson for young players.

VHO - The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, and Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be a name that attracts special attention in world football. At the age of 41 when the tournament begins, the Portuguese superstar still harbors the ambition to conquer the World Cup trophy - the last major title missing from his vast collection.

At 41 years old, Ronaldo is still working hard in training and competing. Photo: REUTERS

This may be Ronaldo's last World Cup. But instead of being remembered as a symbol of the past, CR7 is still appearing as a player who still possesses the same desire to win, the same self-discipline, and the same competitive spirit with the younger generation.

This is why Ronaldo's story at the 2026 World Cup is not just a story of records, but also a valuable lesson for young players and Vietnamese football as a whole.

If he plays in the 2026 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo will become the first player in history to participate in six different World Cups, from 2006 to 2026. This is an unprecedented milestone in world football. Ronaldo also has the opportunity to become the first player to score in six consecutive World Cups.

Currently, Ronaldo has played 22 World Cup matches, the most in the history of the Portuguese national team. He has also scored 8 goals and is just one goal short of equaling the record for most goals scored for the Portuguese national team in World Cups, a record held by legendary Eusébio.

Of course, at 41, Ronaldo is no longer the type of player who can press relentlessly for the entire 90 minutes like he did in his prime. His speed, acceleration, and work rate are also not what they were a decade ago. Therefore, whether Ronaldo still deserves to be in the World Cup has been a subject of debate in Portugal for some time now.

But coach Roberto Martinez maintained a very clear stance: Ronaldo is judged by his current form, not by his past glory. The Spanish coach asserted that all players are selected based on the same professional criteria and there is no favoritism shown to CR7. What convinced Roberto Martinez was not just the statistics, but also Ronaldo's attitude .

In recent statements, the Portuguese national team coach has repeatedly emphasized that Ronaldo has never slowed down his training intensity, always maintains a progressive spirit, and still possesses the same desire to win as a young player who has never won a title.

The 2026 World Cup is therefore not simply a quest to break more records. It's also Ronaldo's way of proving that age isn't the biggest limitation for a player. The biggest limitation lies in whether that person still retains their ambition.

For many years, Cristiano Ronaldo has been an inspiring role model for the world of football. Not only because of his talent, the number of titles he has won, or his goal-scoring ability, but also because of his almost relentless dedication to his profession.

Even at the pinnacle of world football, Ronaldo maintained a rigorous training regimen, a scientific lifestyle, and always set very high standards for himself. That's why he was able to extend his peak career longer than most stars of his generation.

Coach Roberto Martinez once said that he managed Ronaldo as a player, but admired him as an icon. Because what CR7 created was not only on the pitch but also in his ability to spread professionalism to the team.

Vietnamese football is not lacking in talented players. Over the years, we have had many generations of players who have made their mark in the region and Asia. But what Vietnamese football still lacks is the ability to maintain ambition and keep the spirit of progress after success.

Many players, upon reaching the pinnacle of success, quickly lose their way. Some decline due to a lack of motivation, some are swept away by the glamour, and others fail to maintain the necessary professionalism of a top-level athlete. This is why many talented Vietnamese footballers have not been able to develop to their full potential.

Ronaldo's story shows that true class doesn't just come from innate talent. It's also built on perseverance, discipline, and the ability to overcome complacency. In the increasingly competitive world of football, where the gap between teams is narrowing, attitude towards the game becomes a decisive factor. A player may not possess the most outstanding technique, but if they maintain a progressive spirit and professionalism, they can still sustain their value for a very long time.

That is also what Vietnamese football needs to aim for if it wants to go further in continental competitions and the World Cup in the future. Because the World Cup dream of Vietnamese football certainly cannot be built on emotions or short-lived moments of triumph. It must be built on a foundation of professionalism, discipline, and the persistent aspiration of each player.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/ronaldo-va-bai-hoc-cho-cac-cau-thu-tre-228981.html