Cristiano Ronaldo at 38: The Unyielding Attraction of a Football Legend
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Alarming Season at 38: A Quest for Greatness Amidst Diminishing Goal-scoring Prowess
Cristiano Ronaldo, the football phenomenon, is experiencing a season of uncertainties as he turns 38. Both the man himself and football fans worldwide understand that age has caught up with the Portuguese star. Nevertheless, Ronaldo continues to pursue records to enhance his illustrious legacy. In June 2023, CR7 received a Guinness World Record certificate for surpassing 200 international appearances. However, his goal-scoring efficiency has notably declined.
Despite his formidable presence on the field, age has undeniably impacted his performance in recent years. This was evident when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner chose to leave Europe for the Arabian Peninsula to play football. Furthermore, in the latest World Cup, he found himself on the bench since the round of 16. Nevertheless, Ronaldo, the superstar from Portugal, shows no intention of retiring. Yet, his goal-scoring prowess has significantly dwindled at Al Nassr. In his last three matches, CR7 failed to find the net, and even in his debut season in the Saudi Pro League, he only managed to score 14 goals – a concerning performance for such a world-class striker.
In a recent friendly match against PSG, Al Nassr heavily relied on Ronaldo to secure victory. However, he squandered all three opportunities, resulting in a disappointing 0-0 draw. The upcoming match against Inter Milan, the last pre-season friendly in Japan for Al Nassr, may be CR7’s final chance to gain momentum before entering the more demanding phase of the season.
Entering the 2023/24 season, Ronaldo and his teammates will compete in five different competitions. Al Nassr begins the Saudi Pro League in mid-August, followed by participation in the King Cup, Saudi Super Cup, Arab Club Champions Cup, and the AFC Champions League play-offs. Looking at the fixture list, the physical demands placed on CR7 are evident. At 38, he is on the other side of his career’s peak. Most of his peers have retired or transitioned to coaching. However, Ronaldo arrived at Al Nassr with an unyielding desire to conquer and high expectations, despite his legs growing wearier over time.
In recent matches, Ronaldo has still demonstrated his determination by making wide runs, positioning himself strategically, and taking active shots. Nevertheless, he lacks the same speed and agility as before, especially in accelerating bursts. The physicality required for quick sprints has gradually diminished with time.
Nonetheless, one of Ronaldo’s most evident positive traits is his influence off the pitch. He has attracted other stars to join Saudi Arabian football, with players like Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante at Al Ittihad, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic at Al Hilal, and Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino at Al Ahli.
Recognizing Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact should not be solely confined to his professional abilities. At 38, he continues to bring allure to Arabian football, and Al Nassr has exceeded expectations due to his magnetic presence.
