Cristiano Ronaldo may have decided to call time on his international soccer career at 41, but the Portuguese superstar could learn a thing or two from NBA legend LeBron James about refusing to let age dictate when it’s time to walk away.
Both athletes have spent more than two decades competing at the highest level, breaking records and building enormous global followings.
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While Ronaldo has decided to end his Portugal career, James is continuing his remarkable NBA journey with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Ronaldo announced his decision on Thursday bringing an end to an international career featuring 234 appearances and 146 goals.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner helped Portugal win Euro 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles.
James, meanwhile, is preparing to turn 42 in December and has already made his feelings about retirement clear.
LeBron James questioned why athletes should retire
Speaking during a discussion at Fanatics Fest earlier this year, James questioned why successful athletes face pressure to retire simply because of their age.
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“Why are we trying to force people that are still doing what they do at a high level?” James said.
The four-time NBA champion compared ageing athletes to musicians such as Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones, who continue performing decades into their careers.
James also acknowledged the commercial value experienced athletes continue bringing to their respective sports.
“We’re giving everything that we have to the sport, and we’re still driving revenue as well. Why not still play it if you still love it?”
Ronaldo and LeBron James face different final chapters
James joined Philadelphia this summer after seriously considering retirement following his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers.
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He has since made clear his ambition to compete for another NBA championship.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, has not announced his retirement from club soccer and can continue pursuing further milestones with Al-Nassr but it seems his time on the biggest stage is now over.
Both remain enormous commercial figures, but their contrasting decisions highlight the difficult balance between sporting ambition and knowing when to walk away.
For Ronaldo, that moment has arrived internationally. For James, the pursuit of another championship continues.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
