Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal-scoring at 40 hailed ‘phenomenal’ by ex-Premier League rival who foresaw his longevity | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo’s scoring at 40 has been hailed as phenomenal by former Premier League opponent Marlon Harewood, who says he sensed the forward’s longevity when they first met two decades ago.

“Yeah, 100 per cent. You could see it, when I was playing against him, what he was going on to because the numbers at United, you could see that if he went on from there then he would be the person he’s become,” he told Goal.com.

“The professionalism and how you watch him, what he does, to still be playing now at 40 years of age is phenomenal. The numbers that he is doing still, what a player.”

Ronaldo joined Manchester United from Sporting in 2003, winning the Premier League, the first of his five Champions Leagues and a handful of Ballons d’Or. He moved to Real Madrid in 2009 and became their all-time top scorer with 450 goals in 438 games.

He became a centurion at Juventus, then passed 100 for Al-Nassr, where he has signed through 2027. With 226 caps, he is expected to lead his country at next summer’s World Cup. It has been suggested he could play beyond the next two years as he chases 1,000 career goals and the chance to feature alongside his eldest son, Cristiano Jr.

“There is no way if you said to me he’s 40 years-plus still going strong, not just in Saudi, but for his national team. He still looks as fit as ever.”

Source: Goal.com