Cristiano Ronaldo still has a couple of career goals to chase down, according to Rene Meulensteen, with one of those involving his son Cristiano Jr.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
All-time great still going strong at 39Son catching the eye in Al-Nassr academyCR7 still has targets with club & countryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner CR7 has achieved just about everything at the top of world football, with major trophies won at club level and with Portugal. He has shattered countless records and cemented a standing among the all-time greats.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ronaldo is showing no sign of slowing down at the age of 39, with it his intention to reach 1,000 career goals before considering retirement. There are other targets that the most driven of characters will be setting, with it possible that he will look to take inspiration from NBA legend LeBron James.
WHAT RENE MEULENSTEEN SAID
James is now working with his son Bronny at the LA Lakers, and Ronaldo may look to do likewise in football circles as Cristiano Jr impresses in Al-Nassr’s academy system. Quizzed on whether Ronaldo will want to become a team-mate of his first born, ex-Manchester United coach Meulensteen – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “One hundred per cent. He would love that. Maybe that might be extra motivation for him to keep going and waiting for that time to come.
“I said it years and years ago, Ronaldo will never leave as a candle that slowly burns down. If he feels that he can still make a massive contribution in the way he keeps going and playing, scoring goals. But there is a cut-off point for everybody, where the game runs away from you. That can sometimes happen whether you want it or not. I’m sure he has got plenty of motivation in him. He’s a fit boy, he looks after himself so well, and I bet he would love to play alongside his son.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Ronaldo is yet to extend his record-breaking contract at Al-Nassr that is due to expire in 2025, leading to plenty of speculation regarding a next move. Meulensteen cannot see the Portuguese GOAT returning to Europe, with there other goals for him to achieve in the Saudi Pro League and internationally. The Dutchman added: “I think it’s a big ask. I’m sure he would want to do it because he’s that sort of guy. But he’s 39 so it’s already amazing how he keeps himself in shape, keeps going, keeps playing, he loves it. You say come back to Europe, well Europe is a big place. I can’t see him coming back to the Premier League. Maybe Spain, but then you have to go to one of the better teams that dominate possession, not a team that has to defend half the time.
“It would be possible but I find it hard to see that is going to happen. I think he has set his sights on doing what he does in Saudi and the Asian Champions League, and Portugal with the national team. I think he’s very keen on sticking with that and going to the World Cup in 2026. I think that’s what his focus will be on.”
