Ronaldo, not Messi, is the blueprint for Malaysian footballers

If you hope to become a top footballer, learn from Cristiano Ronaldo's example. Comparing yourself to Lionel Messi is futile, as his abilities seem otherworldly. Diego Maradona, another great, is no match for Ronaldo's achievements. Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football after 23 years donning Portugal's No. 7 jersey, but he should have hung up his boots years earlier.

At 41, his pace and defending skills have waned, yet he remains one of the Saudi Pro League's top scorers for Al-Nassr. CR7 loves football and possesses discipline and dedication that few can replicate. However, aging affects everyone, and Ronaldo is no longer the player he once was. Despite this, he scores incredible goals, cementing his status as one of football's all-time great forwards.

His most impressive goal includes a bicycle kick against Juventus in the 2018 Champions League quarter-final for Real Madrid, and another remarkable strike for Juventus against Sampdoria in 2019. Ronaldo should have retired after the 2022 World Cup, as he aimed to win the trophy, which eluded him. While he may regret not lifting the World Cup, his greatest regret could be not pursuing a coaching role.

Ronaldo won almost every accolade in football, except for the ultimate prize. Some may view him as selfish, but his motivation was his love for his country, which he displayed with unwavering pride. He rarely declined a call-up and was fiercely loyal to Portugal. As Ronaldo nears the milestone of scoring 1,000 career goals, fans ridicule him on social media for his declining speed and dribbling abilities.

Yet, age impacts every footballer, and Ronaldo's continued play against younger opponents shows his determination. His declining physical abilities do not diminish the lessons aspiring footballers can learn from his discipline, dedication, and fitness approach. Young players in Malaysia should emulate Ronaldo's work ethic, training hard, swimming, and jogging to maintain peak condition.

While many fans miss Ronaldo's famous "Siuuu" celebration, they hope he'll return as Portugal's coach and guide the nation to victory. Ronaldo's love for football transcends monetary gains; he simply adores the sport. As a multi-millionaire, he has no financial incentive to return to play. It remains to be seen if he'll eventually coach again.

For Malaysian footballers, scoring goals isn't about grand celebrations; it's about sustainable, consistent effort, achievable through hard work. Many have mocked Ronaldo, including ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who dubbed him a "military-style robot." Ronaldo played alongside Messi in the same era, and while Messi may be the superior player, Ronaldo embodies the essence of dedication, discipline, and hard work that any young player should aspire to emulate. Farewell, Ronaldo.