Former Manchester United player Eric Cantona spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo. He considers him to be one of those players who does not accept his age and believes that he should get used to the idea that he is not ready to play every game like he did a few years ago.
Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to continue his career in Saudi Arabia. After terminating his contract with Manchester United, Al Nassr has become his new team. He has not yet made his debut and is expected to do so on 22nd January against Al Ittifaq.
Former United player Eric Cantona, believes the Portuguese would have to change the way he sees football for the better. "Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't realise he's not 25. He's older and he doesn't realise that, instead of being unhappy about not playing everything, he should accept the situation: 'OK, I'm not 25, I can't play forever, but I'll help the youngsters and accept my situation'. That's it," he told the 'Manchester Evening News'.
For this legendary former footballer, Cristiano has not accepted that the years are passing: "There are two types of veterans: the one who wants to play every game because he still thinks he is 25 and the one who realises that he is not that age and is there to help the young players. He knows he won't play every game, but he is aware that he will have his moment".
Cantona encouraged the striker to change the way he sees things. "It's like everything in life, you have to assume you are older and accept it. In everything you do, not just in football. You can't run as fast as you did when you were 30 and you have to accept that, just like you have to accept that you will die one day. It's hard, but that's the way it is.
Cantona understands why Cristiano may not want to step aside: "The end of a career is like dying, a small death. You can sing until you are 80 years old or older, but footballers know that from the age of 30 or 33, it's physically harder every day. You have to accept that. Either you retire or you help the younger generation.