The former Portugal right-back believes there is no cause why his supremely professional compatriot won’t nevertheless be active in 5 years’ time.
Cristiano Ronaldo can continue playing till he is 40, according to his former Portugal team-mate Paulo Ferreira.
The Juventus striker is now 35 however remains one of the game’s most deadly finishers, as he underlined earlier this month with the aid of equalling the Serie A record for scoring in eleven consecutive appearances.
Ferreira, who played in 4 major international tournaments with Ronaldo between 2004 and 2010, is not in the least surprised that his compatriot is nevertheless going strong at an age when most different forwards have either retired or are thinking about hanging up their boots.
“I’ve known Cristiano for a lengthy time,” the former right-back told Goal at the London Football Awards. “His attitude, how professional he is, how challenging he works – they are all outstanding.
“Until his body doesn’t enable him to play anymore, he will continue to be at this level. And I think he will last for 4 or 5 years more.
“He is nonetheless an essential player who every body respects. He is nevertheless feared due to the fact he can determine a game.
“I saw him develop of course. I played with and against him from the time he was 18 and he deserves to still be at this level for the whole lot he has a hoeved and all the work he has put in.
“To still be playing at this degree at 35, you have to look after yourself. You want to work hard, rest and eat properly.
“He does all that so when he says, he can go on till 40, I agree. Let’s see how his body handles it however if he doesn’t get injuries, then he can definitely do it.”
Ronaldo has 25 goals in all competitions this season, with his record-breaking run in Serie A helping put Juve back on top of the table before the season was interrupted through the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The contagion has resulted in Euro 2020 being postponed for a 12 months , which means the Portugal captain will be 36 by the time the tournament eventually gets under way.
Ronaldo, though, has already stated that he hopes to continue playing international soccer till 2022, when he hopes to bring the curtain down on his illustrious Seleccao career by leading his country to World Cup glory in Qatar.
