Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to play for ‘many, many years’ and insists ‘age doesn’t matter’

The Portuguese forward will be 36 before the end of the season

(AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo maintains he wants to continue playing for “many, many years” and believes age “doesn’t matter”.

The Juventus forward is playing his 19th season in European football and will be 36 before the end of the current campaign.

But with 16 goals in 14 games, Ronaldo is still close to his best in Turin and has revealed his still feels he has a lot to give in the years ahead. 

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“It doesn't matter the age. What is important is the mind,” Ronaldo said.

“It doesn't matter if Cristiano Ronaldo is good, you don't know tomorrow what is going to happen. I live in the present, in the moment.

“The moment is good, I feel happy, I feel sharp and in a good moment in my life. I hope to play many, many years more but you never know.

“This is football, we don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. When I speak to young boys I always say ‘enjoy the moment’ because we never know what will happen. My eyes see the future very, very bright, so I am happy with that.”

Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to play for many more years (AFP)

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Ronaldo also revealed that the 2022 World Cup is a “dream” for him and that it is “possible” Portugal can add glory in Qatar to their Euro 2016 victory.

Ronaldo is closing in on Ali Daei’s world record for most international goals in men’s football at 109 goals.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar is seven goals short of the Iran legend.