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Gary Neville says he can see Cristiano Ronaldo playing on for years to come, and predicts the Portuguese superstar won’t retire until he surpasses Pele’s goalscoring record.
The former Man Utd forward has now racked up 725 career goals over 1000 appearances as a professional, following further prolific spells at Real Madrid and Juventus, as well as at international level.
In comparison, Brazil legend Pele ended his much-lauded 21-year career with 1,282 goals in 1,363 games, though a portion of those were scored in unofficial friendlies.
The odds would be stacked against Ronaldo beating that figure, but Pele’s official tally stands at 757, just 32 ahead, and Neville reckons that is what his old teammate has set his sights on.
“His drive was out of this world to become the best in the world,” Neville told Sky Sports. “He’s one of the very few players that I’ve played with that would publicly announce that the individual trophies were important to him.
(Image: SIPA USA / PA Images)
“He just wanted to be the very, very best in the world and it’s so important to him.
“It’s an obsession. Absolute obsession with scoring goals. Applying himself every single day, being the fittest he can possibly be. I think he’s lifted his professionalism every single year and progressed.
“Jamie [Carragher] mentioned before about James Milner wanting to play into his late 30s and 40s. I think he [Ronaldo] has a plan to go on and take over Pele’s record.
“I genuinely believe he wants to go on and beat Pele’s numbers.
“That’s where I think he’s at in his mind, he wants to be the greatest of all time, that is his sole purpose, understanding that along the way if he is the greatest of all time, the teams that he plays for will win trophies and be successful. “
Ronaldo spoke last year how money did not motivate him to continue playing, but the chance of success.
At 35, talks have already turned to when the striker will retire, but he admitted there was still scope for him to play on for a while yet.
“I could end my career next year, but I could also play until I’m 40, 41 years old,” Ronaldo said. “I don’t know, but what I always say is that you have to enjoy the moment. The present is excellent and I must enjoy it. “
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