Cristiano Ronaldo Dismisses Plans To Retire, Says Age "Is Just A Number"

Cristiano Ronaldo has made it clear to his teammates at Juventus that retirement is not in his plan, rather he wants to win more trophies with the club despite his age which to him is nothing but just a number. 

On the 30-man shortlist for Ballon d'Or released on Monday, the Portuguese was named alongside Lionel Messi with whom he ties with five on winning the award. Both will be bidding to reach a record milestone of sixth Ballon d'Or on December 2 when the award winner will be announced in Paris. 

"Age is just a number," he said at a press conference on Monday. "I can show that with my performance, how I play, the way I play, the way I still feel good, sharp, thinking about the game, more mature."

In spite of his age, 34, the forward extended his professional career goal tally to 700 in Portugal's 2-1 loss to Ukraine in the Euro 2020 qualifiers last week Monday. Currently, he is in the second season of his four-year contract at Juve and has in seven league match appearances, scored four goals with an assist for the side which lead the Serie A table by a point clear Inter Milan. 

"We want to win Serie A, we want to win the Cup, the Champions League. Juventus should think big," he urged the club which last won the UEFA Champions League in 1995/96.

However, he admitted that winning all the trophies might be "difficult, especially the league and the Champions League," but he urged the club to give it a go.