How sports science has made age just a number and given longevity to ageing superstars

“Usually players of my age go to Qatar or China, with all due respect”. Those were the words of a 33-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo following his €100 million switch from Real Madrid to Juventus last month, more than hinting his refusal to accept physical decline and dedication to continue at the highest level made him stand alone among other notable names who had chosen a comfortable, relatively care-free and lucrative path towards retirement playing at a lesser standard of competition.

During his medical testing in Turin ahead of his official unveiling, the Serie A side’s doctors revealed the Portuguese icon had the physical capacity of a 20-year-old. It has to be said that Ronaldo, a joint-record five-time Ballon d’Or winner, is a freak of nature and a one-off, but that statistic – derived from the results of muscle mass, body fat testing and overall top speed along with various other degrees of attribution – came as no real surprise.

Ronaldo’s pursuit of relentless perfection over a 15-year period has been underpinned by stringent physical work, yoga and stretching techniques, a superb diet and first-class rest and recovery. However, aside from an occasional social media post, we rarely see behind the curtain and how he prepares but his end-product on the pitch, is evidence no stone is unturned.

The benefit of having a close-knit team working with him, day in, day out, has been crucial to his overall longevity. It wouldn’t have been possible without his drive and desire, though. Ronaldo, who is arguably the world’s most recognisable sportsman, continues to be a pioneer for his generation and the next.

Putting talent aside, he has given professionals not just in football but across all sports the belief there should be no such career shelf life anymore, particularly for those post-30, and it is more than possible to extend the so-called end game. Time ultimately catches up with everybody, but there are more ways now to slow the clock than ever before.