Fernando Santos Is Convinced Cristiano Ronaldo Will Play Until He Is 40

Indeed, one day, Cristiano Ronaldo will say goodbye to the football pitch in terms of hanging his boots, but until then, how long can he hold on at the top-level of the game. Ronaldo’s national team coach is weighing at this time. Portugal head coach Fernando Santos has confirmed that he is convinced Cristiano Ronaldo will play until he is 40 years old.

This has not been the first time we’ve had great people come up with such assumptions about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. The likes of Ryan Giggs have, in the past, said he firmly believes Ronaldo will play until he’s 40.

An Example To Why Cristiano Ronaldo Can Play Until He’s 40 Years Old

A perfect example that shows that Ronaldo can defy all odds and stay on top of his game until he’s 40 is the case of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish striker has kept performing at the top-level and despite turning 39 soon. Moreover, Zlatan even suffered a career-threatening injury on his knee, yet he returned to keep playing at the highest level until now that he is chasing 39 years of age.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese king has, in the past, stated his desire to keep playing until he is 40 years old, which would definitely be an incredible thing if it happens. Although it won’t be that surprising for many, we will still be pleased to see it happen.

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Besides, Ronaldo’s inner circle is convinced that it is a real possibility as they continue to share it with the fans. And taking to the words of the one person who knows Ronaldo well enough in Fernando Santos, he has stressed that he believes that Ronaldo will play until he is 40.

Fernando Santos Knows Cristiano Ronaldo Well Enough As a Portugal Manager

While on an interview with TVI24 that Diario AS reported, the Portugal manager, who has been part of Cristiano Ronaldo’s most successful periods with his national team made the revelation. Ronaldo and Santos won the UEFA Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League together for Portugal in 2016 and 2019 respectively.

Although Fernando Santos knows how impressive Ronaldo’s physique truly is, he equally knows that maintaining a top-level football at 40 will be quite a difficult task. However, Ronaldo’s Portugal compatriot will be right there to see it all happen.

“Cristiano is ready to play until he is 40 years old, but I don’t know if it will happen. He can feel at any moment that he doesn’t have the endurance anymore,” said Santos.

“He is not the type of player who would allow himself to play at a lower level; he’ll step out of the game himself before that happens.”

Fernando Santos adds; “When he feels he can’t be Ronaldo anymore, he is not willing to be a ‘Ronaldinho’. I use quotation marks so we don’t confuse him with the Brazilian Ronaldinho.”

Do you agree with Fernando Santos on his Cristiano Ronaldo’s assessment? Feel free to add your opinion via our comments section below!