Cristiano Ronaldo still going strong at 35 when Zidane, Ronaldinho and Kaka were finished at his age as he targets more Champions League success
Cristiano Ronaldo, even at the age of 35, remains one of the greatest athletes on the planet.
The Juventus superstar's relentless and religious approach towards football has certainly paid off, and to this day is still breaking records aplenty and scoring goals at the very highest level.
Ronaldo could be forgiven for entering cruise control at this stage of his career and entering semi-retirement by racking up numbers in MLS or the Far East much like other legends of the game, including his Brazilian namesake and Zinedine Zidane, did.
But such is Ronaldo's nature, he demands the best in everything he does.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner swapped Real Madrid for Juventus in the summer of 2018 and it's safe to say things haven't gone too shabbily so far!
Ahead of the resumption of the Champions League this weekend, Ronaldo will be looking to add to the 33 strikes he has notched this season for Juve in just 40 games.
Below, marvelbet369.com looks at what some other well-renowned stars were doing at the same age Ronaldo is now...
Zinedine Zidane
The French maestro retired from the game in 2006 at the age of 34.
One of the finest midfielders of his generation, Zidane's last club was none other than Real Madrid where he is now manager, winning both the league and Champions League.
Ronaldo
One of the greatest strikers who ever lived, the Brazilian cited pain and hypothyroidism as the reasons for his premature retirement in 2011 at the age of 34.
Kaka
Once the world's expensive footballer when he moved to Real Madrid from Milan in 2009, he ended his playing career at MLS outfit Orlando City.
The former Ballon d'or winner hung up his boots in 2014 at the age of 34.
Ronaldinho
The cheeky little chappie was an absolute magician with the ball at his feet.
At the peak of his powers he was one of the very best players in the world. But at the age of 35, though, the Brazilian maestro didn't even have a club!
Ronaldinho retired from the game in 2017, having last featured for Fluminense.
Xavi
At the age of 35, Xavi was calling time on his glittering 17-year Barcelona career, where he won 25 trophies.
The legendary midfielder joined Al Saad in 2015 and retired from the game last summer. He now manages the Qatari outfit.
Thierry Henry
The 1998 World Cup winner, and Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer joined New York Red Bulls in 2010 at the age of 32.
Henry called time on his trophy-laden 20-year career five years later to join Sky Sports as a pundit.
The France legend is currently manager of Major League Soccer club Montreal Impact.
Alessandro Del Piero
The Juventus legend was little more than an impact sub at the age of 35 under Antonio Conte's stewardship following a couple of below-par seasons.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Malaga signed the 34-year-old striker on a one-year deal in the summer of 2011.
Big things were expected from Van Nistelrooy, who had enjoyed a relatively successful stint at Hamburg prior to the move to Spain and had enjoyed a prolific career in front of goal at Man United.
However, he scored just four times in 28 games for Malaga, announcing his retirement from the game in May 2012.
Pele
One of the greatest-ever players to grace the beautiful game, he came out of semi-retirement to sign for New York Cosmos ahead of the 1975 campaign.
While he was past his prime at that age, he still had a major impact in America and led the Cosmos to the 1977 NASL championship in third and final season at the club before hanging his boots at the age of 36.
