Gary Neville believes Cristiano Ronaldo will follow in Tom Brady’s footsteps by playing at the top level into his 40s.
Having turned 37 earlier this year, the Manchester United superstar is showing no signs that he plans on slowing down. Ronaldo himself has spoken about how he still plans on playing for another four or five years.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has faced questions over his place in the United side this season, however, with critics highlighting his supposed inability to adapt to a modern pressing style. Ronaldo, though, sent a timely reminder of his qualities with a brilliant hat-trick in the 3-2 victory over Tottenham on Saturday.
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In the process, the Portuguese also became the highest goal-scorer of all-time, officially recognised by FIFA, with his latest feat coming with NFL legend Brady watching on at Old Trafford. The seven-time Super Bowl champion also had the chance to speak to Ronaldo on the pitch after the game.
Just a day after meeting Ronaldo, Brady announced he was reversing his decision to retire from the NFL, with the 44-year-old set for his 23rd season at the top level. And Neville believes Ronaldo could achieve something similar.
"It wouldn’t surprise me if he carried on playing until he was 40,” Neville told Sky Sports. “I saw Tom Brady come out of retirement yesterday.
“One of the great things about these players is longevity, it is so important to them, the idea that they can go on longer and further and still play at the highest level. You look at the clubs he’s played for, the leagues he’s played in, the way he’s demonstrated his skill all over the world, so it wouldn’t surprise me if there was another story beyond Manchester."
Neville also believes Ronaldo won’t go down the same route other players have gone by making the move to the United States, Qatar or China late in his career — but he thinks he might not end his career at Old Trafford.
On the prospect of Ronaldo moving away from Europe, Neville added: “I may be completely wrong, but I doubt it because I think he wants his goals to be in the toughest leagues.
“Maybe back in the Portuguese league, maybe there’s a story for him at Sporting Lisbon. I can see him playing in the top leagues for another two or three years. It wouldn’t surprise me if he wants to get to 1,000 goals."
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