Age is just a number. We’ve heard that cliché a million times, but when you look at Cristiano Ronaldo, it actually feels like a scientific anomaly. Right now, as of January 17, 2026, the question of how old is CR7 isn't just about a birth certificate—it’s about how a human body can still perform at an elite level when most of his peers have long since traded their cleats for golf clubs and broadcasting headsets.
He's 40.
Specifically, Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985. That means he’s currently in the final weeks of being 40 before he hits 41 next month. It’s wild to think about. When he made his professional debut for Sporting Lisbon back in 2002, some of his current teammates at Al-Nassr hadn't even been born yet.
The Reality of Being 40 in Professional Football
Look, most strikers start losing their "yard of pace" around 31 or 32. By 35, they’re usually impact subs. But CR7? He’s out here in early 2026 still hunting for that mythical 1,000-goal milestone. According to recent stats from the Saudi Pro League, he’s sitting somewhere around 959 career goals.
Is he as fast as he was at Manchester United in 2008? No. Obviously not. He doesn’t do the 40-yard lung-busting sprints every five minutes anymore. He’s smarter. He lingers. He ghosted into the box just a few days ago in the Riyadh derby against Al-Hilal to score his 115th goal for Al-Nassr, matching Abderrazak Hamdallah’s record for the most goals by a foreign player at the club.
That’s the thing about Ronaldo's age. It hasn't stopped the production; it’s just changed the method. He’s basically become the ultimate "fox in the box."
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Why the 2026 World Cup Matters
The big talk in the football world right now is the upcoming World Cup in North America. Since it’s 2026, the tournament is right around the corner. Roberto Martinez, the Portugal manager, has been pretty vocal about the fact that a 41-year-old Ronaldo will likely be on that plane.
Will he start every game? Maybe not. Martinez has been hinting at a three-striker rotation to manage the load. But you can bet everything you own that Ronaldo is aiming to be the first player to ever score in six different World Cups.
The Science of "How Old Is CR7" (Biological vs. Chronological)
If you ask the people at Whoop—the fitness tracking company he partners with—they’ll tell you he isn't actually 40. Their 2025 data report claimed his "biological age" was closer to 28.
That sounds like marketing fluff, but the routine is actually insane. We're talking:
- 17,000 steps a day even on "off" days.
- Cryotherapy sessions that would freeze a normal person’s soul.
- Five to six naps a day instead of one long sleep (though he recently said he aims for a solid 7-9 hours at night too).
- Zero alcohol. Period.
Honestly, the discipline is kind of terrifying. Most of us struggle to go to the gym three times a week. This guy has had 500+ tracked workout sessions in the last year alone. He’s treating his body like a Formula 1 car while the rest of the league is driving SUVs.
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A New Contract at 40?
Most players at 40 are signing "one-year-at-a-time" deals or playing in testimonial matches. Not Ronaldo. In June 2025, he signed an extension with Al-Nassr that keeps him under contract until 2027.
By the time that deal ends, he’ll be 42.
This isn't just a "retirement tour" either. The deal reportedly includes a 15% ownership stake in the club. He’s moving from being the star player to being the actual boss while still wearing the captain's armband. It’s a move we’ve never really seen at this scale in football.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Current Form
There’s a narrative that he’s "finished" every time Al-Nassr loses. Just this month, they had a rough patch—losing three games in a row for the first time in his career. The critics jumped on it immediately, saying his age is finally catching up.
But here’s the nuance: he’s still scoring. He scored in the 2-1 loss to Al Qadsiah and again in the derby. The team's struggles seem more about defensive stability than a 40-year-old striker failing to do his job. He’s currently averaging nearly a goal per game in the 2025-26 season.
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If that’s what "washed" looks like, most 25-year-old strikers would kill for it.
The 1,000 Goal Obsession
The only reason he’s still playing—the real reason—is the number 1,000. He’s mentioned it in interviews. He wants to hit it. If he stays healthy through the rest of 2026, he’ll likely enter 2027 needing maybe 10 or 20 more.
It’s the ultimate ego project, but in a way that benefits whatever team he’s on because he’s so desperate to find the back of the net.
Practical Takeaways for the Fans:
- Track the 1,000-goal countdown: He needs roughly 41 more goals. At his current rate of ~0.8 goals per game, he could hit this by late 2026 or early 2027.
- Watch the March International Break: Portugal has friendlies coming up, and this will be the clearest indicator of how Roberto Martinez plans to use him in the World Cup.
- Don't expect a European return: With his 15% ownership stake in Al-Nassr and a contract until 2027, the "Ronaldo back to Sporting" or "Ronaldo to Newcastle" rumors are basically dead. He’s a partner in the Saudi project now.
To stay updated on his specific goal tally and match fitness, you should follow the official Al-Nassr social channels and the Saudi Pro League's digital match center, as they provide the most accurate real-time data on his performance metrics as he approaches his 41st birthday.