The Portuguese star is now showing signs of slowing down as he reaches his 36th birthday on Friday
Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo sent a message of thanks on his 36th birthday when he considered his 20-year career in football.
Ronaldo has established himself as one of the game’s top players in a role that has taken him from Sporting CP to Manchester United to Real Madrid and now to Juve.
At an age when most players are slowing down or retired, Ronaldo has shown no signs of a decline in form, as he has scored 22 goals in 23 games for Juve this term.
Ronaldo’s birthday message
The Portuguese posted on Instagram: “36 years old, incredible! It feels like it all started yesterday, but this journey is already full of achievements and stories to remember. My first member, my first team, my first goal … Time flies, ”wrote the Portuguese striker.
“From Madeira to Lisbon, from Lisbon to Manchester, from Manchester to Madrid, from Madrid to Turim, but above all, from the bottom of my heart to the world … I gave everything I could. I can, I didn’t hold back and I was always trying to deliver my favorite version. As a reward, you gave me your unconditional love and respect, your presence and support. And for that, I won’t be able to thank you enough. I couldn’t have done it without you.
“As I celebrate my 36th birthday and 20th year as a professional footballer, I am sorry I cannot promise you another 20 years of this. But what I can promise you is that as long as I keep going, you will get no less than 100% from me!
“Thank you again for your support and kind messages and campaigns throughout this day. It means a lot to me and you all have a special place in my heart. ”
Juve’s message to Ronaldo
Juventus also posted a video showing some of Ronaldo’s key moments with the club, saying it is “a living testament that age is just a number.”
What now for Ronaldo?
Juventus take on Roma on Saturday in a big game and the Bianconeri look their way back up the Serie A table. Juve are currently in fourth place, eight points behind Inter but with two games in hand over side Antonio Conte.
Later this month Juventus travel to face Porto in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie, before the second leg on March 9 in Turin.
Further reading
Ronaldo was like Ibrahimovic and back to playing over 40 with former Real Madrid fitness coach (February 5)
‘When Ronaldo is with you, you always start 1-0’ – Juventus can ‘win anything’ with Portuguese, says Vieri (February 2)