This week, Cristiano Ronaldo comes back to Dublin on a mission to add another milestone to his career history, as Portugal will be on the verge of qualifying for its sixth FIFA World Cup when the team plays a crucial match against the Republic of Ireland at Aviva Stadium on Thursday (19:45 GMT).
The Portuguese star continues to be the headline of football sixteen years after making his first stride onto the Irish soil in 2009, to play for Real Madrid at Tallaght Stadium of Shamrock Rovers. Ronaldo still sets longevity at the top of the game, even at the age of 40, on the back of an open retirement discussion.
Provided Portugal purchases their ticket to North America 2026, the tournament will be his final appearance on the international scene – a sixth appearance in the World Cup, which will be a record. The way he reached the first Ballon d’Or in 2008 and then became Valencia’s captain is a career marked by consistent performance, ambition, and unparalleled resilience.
Although Lionel Messi and a new generation, such as Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal, is the order of the day, the popularity of Ronaldo in the world does not diminish. His latest interview with Piers Morgan once again showed that he is unrivalled in generating headlines.
Portuguese football journalist Miguel L. Pereira is convinced that Ronaldo’s longevity is his legacy: he knew he would not win the emotional battle with Messi, so he focused on trophies and goals. That’s why he keeps going.”
