40 and still going strong: Ronaldo keeps proving age is just a number

Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer the winger who once tore down flanks with blistering pace. More than a decade ago, he reinvented himself into a different kind of player -- one who recognised that his body needed adaptation, transitioning from a dazzling winger to a prolific striker for a more sustainable and record-boosting career.

And at 40, Ronaldo's hunger in front of goal still remains undiminished. His scoring prowess may not mirror his early years, but it still rivals that of any forward in world football today.

On Saturday, the Portugal captain struck twice to help his side launch their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a commanding 5-0 win over Armenia in Yerevan.

The two goals were a reminder of why Ronaldo continues to be a lethal presence in the attack. The first highlighted his sharp instincts as a finisher, while the second showcased his enduring ability to punish opponents when given even the smallest glimpse of the goal. With that brace, Ronaldo reached 942 career goals -- most by any -- including an international record 140 for Portugal.

His tally also pushed him to 38 goals in World Cup qualifiers -- two ahead of Lionel Messi and just one shy of the all-time record held by Guatemala's Carlos Ruiz. In fact, Messi had only just pulled level with Ronaldo the previous day with a brace against Venezuela --  reflecting how it usually has been between the two GOATs of football, one overtaking the other almost instantly for almost every milestone. 

On Saturday night, it was the 21st minute when Ronaldo grabbed his first, Portugal's second, brushing past his marker before finishing a cross from close range.

If that was a classic striker's goal, his second was pure spectacle. Barely a minute into the second half, he unleashed a thunderous right-footed volley from outside the box. Armenia goalkeeper Henri Avagyan managed the slightest of touches, but it wasn't enough to keep the ball from crashing into the net.

Moments like these from Ronaldo are nothing new to the football world. Ronaldo has built a career on producing goals from improbable angles and distances. He continues to do so regularly for his Saudi club Al-Nassr as well, proving that the fire within him still burns brightly.

Just months ago, Ronaldo admitted that while reaching 1,000 career goals would be "perfect," it was not an obsession. Yet, his current trajectory suggests the landmark may be within reach after all. Almost exactly a year ago, on September 5, 2024, he netted his 900th career goal in his 1,236th match. Fast-forward just 49 games later, and he is now only 58 goals shy of becoming the first player ever to hit 1,000.

With Ronaldo showing little sign of slowing down and making age look just like a mere number, it seems only a matter of time before he gets to the desired "perfect" ending to his already illustrious career.