Battle for longevity

No footballer in history has had a career at the top for as long as Cristiano Ronaldo. Nearing his 40th birthday, when will it be time for Ronaldo to finally retire? And will he bow out gracefully—or die crying?

This is the second and final episode on Cristiano Ronaldo. Simon and Mehreen track Ronaldo’s life from 2009 onwards, detailing his transition to family man, his atmospheric rise on social media, and his footballing career after Manchester United.

This episode covers Ronaldo’s rivalry with Messi, his fear of decline and irrelevancy, and his dedication to football at every stage—whether it’s the Euros or in the Saudi league. Is it because of Ronaldo that football has reached a fetishisation of high performance?

This is the finale of the highest-paid athlete on earth who rose from nothing—a person who embodies hustle culture but whose self importance is so grandiose one can’t help but mock it.

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Time stamps:

0:36: Ronaldo joins Real Madrid

5:05: Rivalry with Messi

9:11: Perfect life, perfect child, perfect wife?

17:01: Global icon and social media superstar

22:41: Euro 2016

29:13: Manchester United and Juventus

34:28: Humiliation and personal tragedy

37:55: Joining the Saudi pro league

41:36: Decline in the Portuguese national team

44:11: GOAT status or pipped to the post?