Cristiano Ronaldo has been defying the calendar for more than two decades and, at the gates of what aims to be its last World Cupremains determined to demonstrate that the passage of time does not understand his case. To his 41 yearsthe captain of Portugal has had to respond on the eve of the debut against Congo to those who question whether it still has enough fuel to compete in the biggest event in world football. His reaction was as direct as it was forceful: “Physically? I’m fine, haven’t you seen the games?”
The phrase summarizes the state of mind with which he faces the World Cup of United States, Mexico and Canada. Cristiano does not arrive as an old glory who refuses to leave the stage, but as the leader of a team that is among the contenders for everything. After completing another high-performance season in Saudi Arabia with the Al-Nassrthe Portuguese says he feels prepared to face the most demanding challenge of his recent career.
“We don’t know if we are candidates or not. That will be seen in the end,” he explained during an appearance at the Oeiras Football City. However, it did show a absolute trust in the group’s potential. “It is a very good generation and I think it will bring a lot of joy to the Portuguese,” he said.
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Portugal will debut against Congo and then it will be measured at Uzbekistan and Colombia in a group stage that, on paper, should allow the Portuguese to advance to the playoffs. But Cristiano insists on the need to build the path step by step. “The important thing is to start the first game well, then the second and the third. The path is built by walking,” he explained.
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Beyond the words, the data also supports the Ballon d’Or five times. In the physical controls carried out by the portuguese team Before the tournament a revelation appeared that has caused an impact even within the federation itself. One of the doctors who accompanied Cristiano in his first steps with the senior team more than two decades ago also participated in this year’s tests and verified that some of his records are practically identical to those he presented when he debuted with Portugal in 2003.
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“This is what you call an athlete,” commented the specialist upon learning the results. A fact that helps explain how the top scorer of the history of Portugal continue competing maximum level when most of the footballers of his generation have been retired for years.
Behind that longevity there is one almost obsessive routine. Controlled eating, meticulous rest, personalized training and a discipline that has become a trademark of the house. For years, Cristiano has built an image of total professional and the medical examinations prior to the World Cup seem to confirm that the body continues to respond.
Looking to the future
Now he has the hardest challenge. Portugal chase the first world cup of its history and Cristiano looks for the only great trophy missing from its showcase. The forward knows that the tournament will end up requiring more than just physical preparation. “When things start to tighten, we will see the true champions”, he warned.
Maybe that’s why his words have some message for his rivals and some personal vindication. While football wonders how much he has left, Cristiano continues to respond in the same way he has been doing for more than twenty years: playing, marking goals and refusing to accept that the clock has the last word.
