MY ACCOUNT
Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledged that he will not “be playing for many more years” but insisted he has the desire to win more.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has tasted success in England, Spain, Italy and on the international stage with Portugal.
The 37-year-old boasts the all-time scoring records in the Champions League and men’s international football.
But the Manchester United forward wants to keep adding to that illustrious list of achievements as he heads into the twilight of his career.
“It’s hard to say that I don’t want to win more,” Ronaldo told DAZN in an interview published on Friday.
“If I’m at a club and I’m part of a national team that gives me the opportunity to win more, then why not?
“I know that I’m not going to be playing for many more years, hopefully about four or five more years, we’ll see. But I want to win more.”
Ronaldo recently endured a lean run of scoring form, failing to find the net in six appearances in all competitions during January and February – his longest run without club goal since a seven-game streak in December 2008 and January 2009.
But he ended that spell with a goal against Brighton and Hove Albion on February 15, taking his tally to 15 in 29 appearances across all competitions this season, and Ronaldo suggested he will carry on playing for as long as he enjoys to.
“I follow my own path, working on a daily basis, still trying to improve in every way and looking after myself both physically and mentally,” he added.
“I’m quite old for football. In the past, great players used to play until they were older, but they didn’t have as many games as we do.
“I’ve already reached that number [1,000 games], but like I mentioned, taking care of my body, continuing to work, and having the same enthusiasm as I used to, I can still give it all.
“Most importantly, I continue to enjoy what I do.”
Ronaldo’s impact has not just aided United in their fight for Champions League qualification, but his influence has also rubbed off on other players, such as Jadon Sancho.
“It is great to play next to someone who people call the GOAT [greatest of all time], so it is actually kind of crazy,” Sancho told BBC Sport.
“When he first came into the dressing room I was kind of stunned. I couldn’t believe that I was going to be playing alongside him.
“To have him around is fantastic, he is a great player and is a great guy. He always wants to win and for the younger players he is always helping us learn new things, telling us what to do and how to do things to make things better.
“Just being aware what is going on [he can help with] because he has been in the game for so long and he has that experience of how to beat players and to know where to be at the right time, like when a ball is being delivered and things like that.
“He is just a magician. I really appreciate him for that and he is just a great guy overall.”
Ronaldo and Sancho will be hoping to partner up for more United success when Ralf Rangnick’s side host Watford on Saturday.
United have never lost a home league game against Watford (W11 D2) – no side have they faced more at home in their league history without suffering defeat.
