Cristiano Ronaldo has long been known for wanting the world’s biggest personal accolades.
But the Al-Nassr star has now seemingly performed a U-turn by admitting they no longer hold the appeal they once did as he approaches the twilight years of his career.
Ronaldo has enjoyed a stunning time in football, with the veteran having two stints at Manchester United and spells at Juventus and Sporting Lisbon over the past two decades.
He has scaled the highest heights, with Ronaldo scooping five Ballon d’Ors over the years – despite playing in the same era as Lionel Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo has long been known for wanting the world’s biggest personal accolades. But the Al-Nassr star has now seemingly performed a U-turn by admitting they no longer hold the appeal they once did as he approaches the twilight years of his career
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Now playing for Al-Nassr, he remains as deadly as ever in front of goal.
The football icon netted his 904th career goal on Monday night as the Saudi side beat Al Rayyan in their AFC Champions League clash.
Ronaldo scored his side’s second goal, with former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane bagging the first.
Speaking after the win, the veteran hinted that his time in football was drawing to a close.
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And he also announced his U-turn by saying he no longer cares about the biggest individual accolades.
“I’m just enjoying playing football now as I know I don’t have much time left on the pitch,” he said.
“It is not important to me now to be the best player or to win awards.
“What is important to me now is to enjoy and help my team.”
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Ronaldo, in a break from tradition, pointed to the sky after scoring his latest goal.
The Al-Nassr star performed the gesture to pay tribute to his late father, Jose, on what would have been his 71st birthday.
Jose died at the age of 52 in 2005 having suffered from an alcohol-related liver condition.
Ronaldo was just 20 at the time and had won just one trophy – the FA Cup – with the football legend scoring United’s first goal in a 3-0 win over Milwall.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has long sought the biggest individual accolades in football
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Speaking recently, the Al-Nassr star opened up on what retirement will feel like when he does eventually hang up his boots.
He says he will miss the adrenaline of scoring.
Yet Ronaldo also pledged to keep going for the time being as he looks to add to his legacy out in the Middle East.
“I’m going to miss the adrenaline of scoring a goal, and (the feeling) of being nervous,” he admitted on his YouTube channel.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 904th career goal as Al-Nassr won their AFC Champions League clash on Monday night
REUTERS
“I think I’m going to miss that because in other part of me, I can control that. I have good people around me, good business, I have good things.
“But I (will miss the fact that) the adrenaline of football is never going to exist (again). This is why I’m going further than football.
“I give everything, to 40, 41, it doesn’t matter. I give my body for 25 years of football and I cannot give more because age doesn’t allow to go further.”