Man Utd icon Cristiano Ronaldo reveals key to longevity with surprise 'most important tool'
There's no sign of the Portuguese legend hanging up his boots just yet - and he's revealed the secret behind his relentless drive at 40
Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up about the secret behind his football longevity, as he continues to break records at the age of 40.
It's fair to say the Manchester United legend doesn't know the meaning of rest - and retirement is nowhere near the forefront of his mind. The all-time top scorer in football history, who now has 950 goals for club and country, remains determined to reach the 1,000-goal milestone and add to his 34 major trophies.
Ronaldo is still delivering for Al Nassr, netting seven goals in eight games in all competitions so far this season. His sights remain firmly set on the 2026 World Cup - the one major honour still missing from his distinguished career.
"I want to keep playing for a few more years - not many, to be honest," he admitted earlier this month. "I'm still producing good things, helping my club and my country. So why stop now?"
On a separate occasion, he described sleep and a regular routine as two of the most important 'tools' behind his success on the pitch.
"Sleep is the most important tool that I have," he said. "To be consistent with the time that I go to bed and that I wake up.
"I mean, like example, I go to bed around 11-12 and I wake up around 8.30. It is my routine. It is the most important thing that we have probably in terms of health-span."
Former United teammate Danny Simpson also believes the five-time Ballon D'Or winner's story is far from over, adding that two key targets continue to drive him to play well into his mid-40s.
"I don't think you can write him off," the former right-back told Goal. "As long as he is scoring goals, as long as he doesn't get any injuries, then it wouldn't surprise me because it's him.
"I know he wants 1000 goals. And I think he wants to play with his son. Playing with your son, that's probably one of the biggest targets that you can go for once you have won everything.
"Sharing a pitch with your son must be some feeling. You look at those targets. He does set targets and you look at those - 1,000 goals and play with his son - does he do those and think 'right, I've done it all now?' I don't know where you go after that. He's just a phenomenal person, player. What he’s done for the game, it’s unbelievable."
Ronaldo has spoken publicly about his dream to share the pitch with his eldest son, Cristianinho.
"I would like it, I would like it," he said. "It's not something that keeps me up at night, but I would like it. We'll see. It's more in his hands than in mine. Let’s see if he has the hunger. The hunger is the most difficult."
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