With the football world still debating on greatness, the question has been changed by Cristiano Ronaldo to longevity, consistency and quantifiable achievement. The Portuguese superstar has come out to declare that winning the World Cup is not his biggest goal in life but attainment of a historical milestone that no player had ever attained in the past.
Ronaldo shocked his fans by not emphasizing the world cup as a necessary part of his legacy before another world cup campaign. Although it is prestigious, he said that career of a player should not be evaluated with a brief competition. As Ronaldo puts it, greatness is not created in weeks, but decades.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is more concerned about achieving 1,000 official goals, which would also entrench him in the very top of the history of football. Having scored 42 goals, the rate at which Ronaldo is scoring in Saudi Arabia indicates that he can break the record should he be in good physical and mental shape.
Ronaldo is defying age as at the age when most of his age peers have retired, he is still playing. His performances in Al Nassr highlight his assurance to the finest standards, and his professional nature has seen him cast in the limelight of the development of the Saudi pro league.
Ronaldo also refuted the statements that a world cup win is required to resolve the GOAT debate. To illustrate his contribution to the national team, he cited the examples of Portugal in the international arena, and the fact that his contribution has already written the history.
And club aspirations are on the high. At the moment, Al Nassr are only one point below the league leaders, which gives the first Saudi Pro League win of Ronaldo. The season is still very open and his influence might be decisive.
With the continued pursuit of numbers instead of legitimation, the career story of Cristiano Ronaldo can be seen as never-ending ambition that he never gives up because, to legends, the goal post always moves.
