Cristiano Ronaldo reveals his biggest ‘motivation’ to keep playing football even at 38

The Portuguese international is set to break another record

Cristiano Ronaldo reveals his biggest ‘motivation’ to keep playing football even at 38

Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably one of the best players in the world and breaking innumerable records has a chance to do the same on Thursday night. He will break another record for most appearances provided he plays the game. He has recently commented about the possibility of breaking yet another record.

“Records? It is my motivation. I like to break records, I have many records and tomorrow’s is special because being the most capped player in history is something I would be proud of. I would like to have many international caps if the coach wants to,” indicating he has no plans to retire just yet and would be happy to help the team if the coach still selects him.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a very committed player,” Martinez, who hasn’t confirmed whether or not Ronaldo will remain as Portugal’s captain, told a press conference ahead. “He can bring experience and is a very important figure for the team. I don’t look at age.” It is still doubted whether he will start over the youngster Goncalo Ramos in the long run after his rampant form for Benfica.

If Ronaldo were to feature at the tournament in Germany next summer, he’d become the first player to represent his nation at six European Championships. He already holds the record by appearing in five different Euros. His recent records include being the first male player to score at five World Cups and the most Googled footballer in 2023, which is not quite an achievement. They are expected to top the group and qualify for the upcoming EURO 2024 campaign, even favorites to win the competition having last won during EURO 2016.

Related: Cristiano Ronaldo set to break yet another longstanding International record with Portugal

Some important records Cristiano Ronaldo has broken in his career so far

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Cristiano Ronaldo after winning UCL (credit: Twitter)

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most accomplished professional footballers in the history of the sport. Throughout Ronaldo’s career, the 37-year-old has broken records at each club he has played for, as well as at the international level with Portugal. He has enjoyed success with every club he played winning a hoard of trophies.

The Portuguese international is currently the Champions League’s record goalscorer, finding the back of the net on 136 occasions throughout his career, so his ability to perform on the biggest stage in club football is unrivalled. Ronaldo is also the competition’s record appearance holder surpassing former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas’ tally.

He holds the record for most goals scored in the competition in a single season — scoring 17 goals in the 2013/14 campaign. Ronaldo has scored in more Champions League finals than any other player and set the record of becoming the first player in history to score in every Champions League group stage game in the 2017/18 season, with Sebastian Haller equalling the record.

The Portuguese ace bagged 44 hat-tricks during his time in the Spanish capital — which is another record — on his way to becoming Real Madrid’s all-time top goalscorer with an incredible 450 goals. After swapping Madrid for Turin, Ronaldo continued to break records as he tallied 37 goals for Juventus in the 2019/20 campaign, the highest figure a Juve player has ever scored in a single season, as well as becoming the first player to score 100 goals at club-level in three separate countries.

While World Cup glory still eludes Ronaldo’s massive trophy collection, he has won the European Championship and UEFA Nations League with Portugal. The United striker recently became the men’s international football highest goalscorer of all-time, registering 115 goals for Portugal, and counting.

Ronaldo also holds the record for most international caps as captain (128) and for scoring against the most different national teams (46). The 37-year-old is the oldest player to have scored a hat-trick at the World Cup finals, while also breaking Michel Platini’s record for the most goals scored at a Euros final with 14 goals in 25 appearances at the tournament.

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