Joao Cancelo makes astonishing claim about Cristiano Ronaldo
The right-back is currently representing FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona right-back Joao Cancelo made an astonishing claim about his Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo saying that the 39-year-old is “past his prime”.
Cancelo, currently on loan to Barcelona from Manchester City, stated that most footballers are at the peak of their powers from 25 to 32 and Ronaldo, who turned 39 last month, is past that.
The right-back acknowledged Ronaldo’s importance to the national team as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is still regarded an important personality inside the Portugal national team dressing room but he believed that the team is no longer dependent on him.
"He is an important player and spent 15 years competing with Messi for the Ballon d'Or, but the peak of a footballer's career is between the ages of 25 and 32,” Cancelo said as quote by GOAL.
"He is an important player for us, but the national team does not entirely depend on him."
Cancelo and Ronaldo have also played together on club level at Italian club Juventus before the right-back departed for Manchester City.
The former Real Madrid star will not take part in Portugal’s upcoming friendly against Sweden as the 39-year-old has been rested by head coach Roberto Martinez.
While Ronaldo may be past his peak, the 39-year-old will lead Portugal in EURO 2024 which will begin on June 15 in Germany.
It is worth noting that Ronaldo has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world like Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus where he created history and became a legend in little to no time.
Currently the five-time Champions League winner is playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr where his side is competing Al-Hilal for the league title.
Ronaldo played 438 matches with Madrid where he scored a whopping amount of 450 goals, a record that is likely to remain unbeaten, and provided 131 assists.
With Man United, across his two stints, the forward scored 145 goals and provided 64 assists.
In his 21-year-long career, Ronaldo also won the Ballon d’Or, the highest individual award in football, five times and clinched the UEFA Champions League many times as well.
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