Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he wants to keep playing at the highest level for at least six or seven more seasons and insists his injury problems are behind him.
The prolific attacker was plagued by fitness issues in the build-up to the World Cup and failed to make a significant as Portugal crashed out in the group stages, with some reports even suggesting he was risking the remainder of his career by playing through the pain in Brazil.
However, the 29-year-old has stressed that he is raring to go ahead of the new season and is eager to continue playing until well into his mid-thirties.
“I would like to play six or seven more years at the top level of club competition,” the Portugal star said at a sponsor’s event in Tokyo.
“I’m really focused. My injury is gone. I feel very, very good. I really want to get going again and stay in good shape until the end of the season.”
Ronaldo went on to stress he is desperate to win more titles with Madrid after last season’s success in the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
“Last season was amazing. We now have the opportunity to win five or six titles in the new season, which is fantastic,” he said.
“I’ll try my best the entire season like I do it every year. I’ll try to be the best, try to help my team, try to score goals and try to win titles.”
Ronaldo did not travel to the USA for Real Madrid’s pre-season tour with the initial 20-man squad, though he is expected to join up with the rest of the team on July 26.
The 29-year-old is not the only big name who has been allowed extra rest following the World Cup, with Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Marcelo, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Angel Di Maria, Sami Khedira and Karim Benzema all travelling later this week.
Xabi Alonso, Pepe and Fabio Coentrao are the only players in the 20-man squad who featured in Brazil, while other high-profile names to make the trip include Diego Lopez, Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Arbeloa, Asier Illarramendi, Isco and Gareth Bale.
Madrid will play Inter, Roma and Manchester United between 27 July and 2 August.
Source: Goal