Cristiano Ronaldo: Still a Force to be Reckoned with at 38
In 17 matches this season, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a total of 16 goals and made 9 assists. These incredible statistics demonstrate just how strong a player he still is. Looking at his performance over the course of 2023, the Portuguese star has been in top form throughout the year, proving himself as one of the best goal scorers in the world with 46 achievements. Despite being 38 years old, CR7 is showing no signs of slowing down at the highest level. While his success can be attributed to his current dominance in the Saudi league with Al-Nassr, it’s impressive that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has also made a strong comeback as a credible candidate for the Portuguese national team, especially considering he was initially expected to retire from international play.
Despite being benched by Fernando Santos during the 2022 World Cup, it seemed like Ronaldo’s time with the Portuguese national team was coming to an end. His transfer to Saudi Arabia was believed to be the final chapter. However, the new manager, Roberto Martinez, refused to completely sideline the Portuguese player, much to the dismay of Seleção supporters who were hoping to turn to younger offensive talents like Rafael Leao, Gonçalo Ramos, Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, and Diogo Jota. Yet, it’s too early to count Ronaldo out. Since Martinez’s arrival, CR7 has become an essential part of the team and continues to score goals.
This past Thursday, Ronaldo once again proved to be a pivotal player by scoring the opening goal against Liechtenstein (2-0). The Real Madrid legend has now scored 10 goals in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, making him the co-top scorer alongside Romelu Lukaku. At the age of 38, Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player in history to achieve this feat. His longevity commands respect and impresses his teammates.
Even his coach acknowledges the advantage of having a player like Ronaldo on the team. “Cristiano is doing well, he’s playing a lot of minutes and scoring a lot of goals for his club. He has a lot of experience in the national team. He represents a stimulus and a reference for the young players,” said Martinez. However, Cristiano Ronaldo still has a lot to prove. Although he has scored 10 goals in 8 matches, the level of competition has been relatively low (Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Bosnia, Slovakia). His true test will come against tougher opponents, as the new version of CR7 can no longer carry a team by himself. It seems that he has recognized this and is willing to adapt to his new role on the team. If he continues on this path, he could be a real asset for Portugal in the upcoming Euro 2024. This is an objective that the player has clearly stated.
