‘Great champion’ Cristiano Ronaldo retains child-like enthusiasm at 39 as Al-Nassr boss explains longevity enjoyed by Portuguese GOAT

While Ronaldo’s current contract is running down, with free agency beckoning in 2025, the expectation is that he will agree a deal somewhere that prolongs the most remarkable of playing careers. Fresh terms in Riyadh will likely be thrashed out at some stage.

Ronaldo, who found the target on 50 occasions for Al-Nassr in all competitions last season, has made it clear that he intends to reach 1,000 goals before considering retirement. It is targets such as that, alongside an insatiable desire to compete, that is keeping the all-time great going.

Pioli is now working with CR7 in the Middle East and has told the Saudi Pro League’s official website of what has impressed him most about the legendary frontman: “Of course, I have always thought that Cristiano is a great champion. But above all, a great professional with a great work ethic, a great culture of always trying to express oneself to the maximum. And, therefore, I am discovering a boy who is no longer young, but with the same enthusiasm, with the same passion.

“As when he was a kid, he wanted to do things in wanting to always try to give the best, to reach the maximum, to score many goals and help the team. So, definitely, a pleasant surprise.”

Ronaldo has found major silverware hard to come by with Al-Nassr, but remains as determined as ever to collect domestic and continental trophies. Speculation has started regarding what will happen when the day comes for him to hang up record-breaking boots, but there remains plenty of football for him to play for now.