Returning for Al Nassr against Iranian team Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo—or was it his lookalike—was at it once, netting his 927th career goal from the penalty spot in a 3-0 triumph, so guiding the Saudi Pro League team towards the quarterfinals.
Although the objective itself—a penalty slanted high down the middle—was nothing unique—it gave Ronaldo a fresh approach to show that he has pushed the envelope of physical condition in the realm of soccer. Of the 927 goals scored by former Real Madrid great, he has lately scored more of them after than before age of 30.
Before turning thirty on February 5, 2015, he scored 463 times for Portugal, Sporting CP, Manchester United, Madrid, and has 464 goals for his nation, the LaLiga heavyweights, Juventus, United and Al Nassr since then.
Although the cut-off age does seem to have changed in recent years, soccer players have long been thought to reach their prime years in their mid-to-late 20s. Many top teams have been and still reluctant to grant extended contracts to players in their 30s.
Though elite-level athletes always complain about playing too many games, many look after their bodies better and extend their careers thanks in great part to continuous breakthroughs in sports science and nutrition, none more so than Ronaldo.
