The footballing legend on Wednesday said he wants to go “even further” after becoming the first player to score 850 career goals
There is very little that Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has not achieved in the game. But the superstar, who while playing for Saudi club Al-Nassr became the first player ever to score 850 career goals, has expressed his desire to go "even further" and attain greater heights.
“I want more,” said the forward at a press conference on Wednesday before training with his national side in Oeiras, near Lisbon, ahead of the forthcoming European Championship qualifiers.
The 38-year-old went on to say: “As long as I play, I want to set the bar very high. I have to think big.”
In June last year, Ronaldo marked his 200th international appearance by scoring the solitary goal in Portugal’s victory against Iceland, which allowed them to stay on top of Group J in Euro 2024 qualifying.
On Friday, the 2016 European champs will take on Slovakia in Bratislava and Luxembourg three days later at the Algarve stadium, in south Portugal. “I really want to win these two matches. If we win we will practically qualify,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said.
When asked about his long-standing rivalry with Argentina great Lionel Messi, Ronaldo said the two “respected each other” and added that he believes they have “changed the history of football”.
The Portuguese forward, who marks his 20th anniversary in the national side this year, stated that he was “proud” of this “longevity”. “I want to continue, because I feel good and useful, but anything can happen,” Ronaldo said. He added that for now he wanted to “enjoy the moment” and set himself the goal of “having an excellent Euro”.
(With agency inputs)