According to Ryan Gauld, the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo is still regarded as a hero in Portugal indicates that the all-time great won’t “give up any time soon.”
Gauld, a Scotland international, has worked for Sporting, the team that launched Ronaldo’s career, so he is well-versed with the status of the player in his native country. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner isn’t going anywhere, despite the strange topic of his worth to a global cause being raised at 39.
Ronaldo’s goal on his most recent Portugal appearance brought his career total to 900 goals. He has now made 131 appearances for his nation. Ronaldo is expected to play in the 2026 World Cup and has postponed his club retirement plans.
What makes the legendary forward from Real Madrid and Manchester United such an inspiration to athletes worldwide, according to Gauld, is that “Ronaldo doesn’t look like he’s ready to give up any time soon.” I’m thinking he’ll be there as long as there’s an opportunity to play and score goals. He began his career at Sporting Lisbon, where I played. It’s clear that he is a hero there. Murals adorn every available space, among other things. Nobody has anything negative to say about him. You may therefore understand his desire to play as much as possible.”
“I think it inspires everyone when you see how good he is in shape at the age of 39,” Gauld continued. He still has the mindset necessary to perform at his best and score goals. It demonstrates unequivocally that you can play on if you take care of yourself and follow the proper procedures. I believe that he is someone that everyone would look up to in football in general.
Ronaldo will play in the UEFA Nations League against Scotland on Sunday, when he returns to action. After that game, he will rejoin Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where he plans to play until he reaches 1,000 goals for both club and nation before considering retirement.
