Cristiano Ronaldo has been honoured with the Globe Prestige Award at the Portugal Football Globes ceremony, recognising his 22 years of service to the national team.
The 40-year-old forward used the occasion to dismiss retirement speculation. He made clear his intention to play on for several more years.
AI-Assisted Speech Raises Eyebrows
Ronaldo admitted to using the AI tool Perplexity to help prepare his acceptance speech. “I was sitting at the table this afternoon trying to figure out what to say,” he revealed. “I thought ‘What is a prestigious award?’ I wondered if this was some kind of end-of-career award, and I got a little nervous.”
His confession sparked widespread reaction on social media. Critics questioned his reliance on artificial intelligence for such a personal moment.
Still Delivering at the Highest Level
The Al-Nassr striker remains adamant about his value. “I’m still producing good things, helping my club and Portugal,” Ronaldo stated. “Why not continue?”
He acknowledged the end is approaching. “I want to keep playing for a few more years, not many. I have to be honest,” he said. “I know I don’t have many years left to play, but the little time I do have, I have to enjoy it to the fullest.”
Record Books Beckon
Ronaldo stands on the brink of another milestone. He needs just one goal to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying history.
His international record already stands at 223 caps and 141 goals. Both figures are world records that may never be matched.
World Cup 2026 in His Sights
Portugal faces crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Hungary in the coming days. Ronaldo will be central to those efforts.
The 2026 World Cup in North America represents his final realistic chance at the one major trophy that has eluded him. Despite winning the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 Nations League, the World Cup remains absent from his collection.
Bridging Generations
Ronaldo positioned himself as a link between Portugal’s golden generation and the emerging young talent. He shared the ceremony stage with fellow legends José Mourinho and Pepe.
On Instagram, he wrote: “Proud of this special recognition. 22 years with the National Team and I still have the same passion. Thank you to all the coaches and teammates who helped me get here.”
Unfinished Business
Ronaldo rejected any suggestion that the award marked a career endpoint. “I don’t see this trophy as the end of a career, but rather as a continuation of everything I’ve done,” he said. His club form backs up those words. At Al-Nassr, he recently signed a new two-year deal and continues to score prolifically in the Saudi Pro League.
The numbers tell the story. Five Ballon d’Or awards. League titles in England, Spain and Italy. Five Champions League trophies. Over 900 career goals. Yet Ronaldo’s hunger remains undiminished. At 40, he’s chasing history rather than resting on past glories.
