At 40, Cristiano Ronaldo Still Hungry for More After Portugal’s Nations League Triumph

Even at 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo’s fire for football burns as bright as ever. After scoring in Portugal’s thrilling Nations League final victory over Spain, the legendary forward made it clear that age is just a number when it comes to his passion for representing his country.

“I’m absolutely delighted because this generation really deserved this moment,” Ronaldo said in the mixed zone at Munich’s Allianz Arena. “We went up against Spain – arguably the best team in the world right now – and came out on top. That’s something truly special and it opens up exciting possibilities for what we can achieve down the road.”

The victory has Ronaldo and his teammates eyeing bigger prizes, including a potential run at the 2026 World Cup; despite being well into his fourth decade, the superstar insists his motivation hasn’t wavered one bit.

“People keep talking about my age, but honestly, I don’t even think about it,” he explained. “I just soak up every single moment out there. There’s something magical about winning with your national team – you’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for your entire country, for your family, for your kids. When you win for Portugal, it hits different than any other victory. Nothing compares to that feeling.”

True to form, when reporters tried to focus on his individual performance, Ronaldo quickly shifted the spotlight back to the team effort. “Look, it’s way more important that Portugal played well as a unit than whether I found the back of the net,” he said. “We showed real character against Spain, coming back twice when we were trailing, and then having that bit of luck in the penalty shootout. That kind of resilience gives us real confidence moving forward.”