Cristiano Ronaldo turns 35 and reveals he wants to play until 40 as he insists ‘I will stop when I have no incentives’
CRISTIANO RONALDO is celebrating turning 35 - but already thinking about what he'll do when he's 40.
The Juventus superstar has the "biological age" of someone just 23 and showed he is still capable of jaw-dropping feats with his unbelievable header against Sampdoria last December.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is showing no signs of slowing down.
And he fully intends to keep playing at the highest level for at least another five years because the physical side will never be a problem.
Quizzed on how long he can keep going, the Portuguese icon told Marca: "Much will depend on what I feel, on my motivation.
"Physically it will never be a problem.
"I am treating myself well and I think can play safely up to 40 years.
"The most important factor, honestly, will be more psychological - that will be the one that makes the difference.
"In any case, everything has a beginning and an end. I won't last a lifetime but I still feel strong enough to continue winning.
"I will stop if I have no incentives."
Ronaldo - who is the most followed person on Instagram with 200 million fans - has won pretty much every individual and team accolade there is.
His legendary rivalry with Lionel Messi - surely the best the world has ever seen for sustained brilliance over such a long period of time - may be the key inspiration driving him on.
Messi won his sixth Ballon d'Or title last December to take him one ahead of Ronaldo.
And you can bet a desire to at least match the Barcelona man is still driving him on.
Off the pitch, a loving family and strict diet keeps Ronaldo on his toes.
He also naps five times a day, feasts on "magic" chicken and devours swordfish.
He is a big fan of swimming too, often taking to the pool with son Cristiano Jr.
For all his niggles and knocks sustained on the football pitch, Ronaldo invested in a £50,000 Cryotherapy chamber.
Standing in the chamber for around three minutes, liquid nitrogen freezes Ronaldo to between minus 160 and minus 200 degrees Celsius.
Cryotherapy beats muscle soreness and reduces swelling, inflammation or sprains.
But Ronaldo puts mental health alongside physical health as being key to being happy on the pitch as well as off it.
This involves spending quality time with his family - partner Georgina Rodriguez and his four children Cristiano Jr, twins Mateo and Eva Maria and Alana Martina.
latest ronaldo news
The superstar said: "Mental strength is just as important as physical strength.
"Training and physical sessions are most important, but living a relaxed lifestyle helps you to be the best you can be, physically and mentally.
"I spend my free time with family and friends, which keeps me relaxed and in a positive mindset."