Ronaldo’s Unyielding Drive: The Pursuit of Longevity and Record-Breaking Ambitions

Every now and then, Cristiano Ronaldo would send a message to Portugal’s national team doctor, Jose Carlos Noronha.

“Hey doc, any chance you could recommend a scientific article to read?” Ronaldo would ask.

The Madeira-born icon has openly admitted his fascination with the science of longevity and his love for studying, so this wasn’t surprising to Noronha, who has known Ronaldo since his early days at Manchester United.

Noronha, highly respected in his field, once called Ronaldo “very inquisitive.” He recalled how the footballer often sought out new scientific literature on nutrition and other performance-related topics. “He’s someone who does everything required to maintain the highest levels of physical and mental fitness,” Noronha said. “He’s a true example.”

As Ronaldo celebrates his birthday on Wednesday, he remains determined to prove that life truly begins at 40. His confidence is unwavering.

“I think I’m the most complete player to have existed,” Ronaldo said in a recent Spanish TV interview. “In my opinion, I think it’s me. I do everything well in football.”

While acknowledging the preferences for players like Messi, Pele, and Maradona, he firmly believes that no one is more complete than he is. “I haven’t seen anybody better than me, and I say it from the heart.”

Interestingly, Ronaldo hasn’t always been so focused on defying age and extending his career. His former teammate Costinha recalls a conversation they had back in 2003 when Ronaldo made his international debut for Portugal. “He told me, ‘Costa, I’m going to play until the age of 30 and then I’ll do something different.'”

Ronaldo not only defied that promise but went on to score more goals in his 30s—460—than in his 20s—440. It’s an extraordinary feat, just another example of Ronaldo’s exceptional nature.

As he enters his 40s, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. Despite facing growing criticism and contemplating the realities of aging in football, he’s resolute in his belief that there’s still much more to achieve.

Among his goals are:

• Playing in the 2026 World Cup and returning with the trophy, having expressed a desire to “win something else with the national team.”
• Reaching 1,000 career goals (he currently has 923).
• Earning 250 Portugal caps (he currently has 217).
• Sharing the pitch with his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., who is 14 and plays for Al-Nassr’s youth teams.

Those close to Ronaldo know that when he says, “there are no impossibilities,” he means it.

“Ronaldo does things, but he does them knowing all the whys, and that’s what impresses me. I’m convinced he’ll continue for another one, two, or even three years,” said his former Al-Nassr coach, Luis Castro.

In Ronaldo’s world, the pursuit of greatness never ends.