Topics: La Liga, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese superstar turns 30 on February 5th, and fresh off his two-game ban he will surely try to celebrate with a victory against Los Colchoneros

Some might say that an athlete’s downward cycle will start when they turn 30. Well, Cristiano Ronaldo gets to his third decade alive trying to prove the naysayers wrong. Being crowned as the Best Player for the second year in a row, CR7 clearly is having one of his best seasons ever, but it will be up to him to keep his dominance for years to come.

Playing among the world’s elite players for 12 years now, Ronaldo’s success has been outstanding in the past couple of seasons. Reaching scoring milestones in almost every tournament he has participated in, the Portuguese superstar has polished his all-around game to be considered a threat anywhere in the pitch, hauling stats that could easily put him among the best players ever to step inside a football stadium. But how have other top players behaved after their 30th birthdays? We will give you four examples of players among the elite and their performances when they reach 30.

Ronaldo

Perhaps the best example for a world-class player. The Brazilian striker was already a household name before his 28th birthday, even though he had to endure harsh injuries to his knees. Known for his speed and goalscoring skills, Ronaldo struggled almost every year with injuries, and with his weight swings, his body was not fully fit for a grueling season. When he became 30-years old, Ronaldo’s shape was less than perfect, and his goal totals were not satisfying. He left Real Madrid months after turning 30, blaming then-coach Fabio Capello for his physical issues. Ronaldo’s commitment to his athleticism may rise him above those who after their third decade come down to injuries constantly, such as his Brazilian namesake.

Ronaldo, during his final year with Los Blancos

Zinedine Zidane

One of the most praised players for his skills, but also severely criticized for his short temper, Zinedine Zidane’s career blossomed once he turned 30. Giving Los Blancos their ninth UEFA Champions League trophy in the course of that year, Zidane had a complicated World Cup, but bounced back to lead a struggling Real Madrid team. Zidane’s commitment to his body was also praised by his team-mates, and Ronaldo may have his example quite at hand, with Zizou coaching Real Madrid Castilla and often attending the first team’s training sessions. If Ronaldo wants to keep healthy and successful after his 30th birthday, Zidane could be a great mentor. The comparison may seem a bit off, since they play different positions, but their tempers and skills are quite similar, even with Zizou being more exquisite than the explosive Portuguese.

Zidane,back in 2002, about to hit his historic volley against Bayer Leverkusen

Luis Figo

Ronaldo has always stated that one of his role models is Luis Figo. The legendary player, now running for FIFA’s office, was also criticized for never getting his National team to shine in a big tournament, but his numbers became better with age. After turning thirty, Figo maintained his superstar status even during the era of Los Galacticos. He managed to score the same amount of goals for Los Blancos during his early thirties, before getting into several arguments with Madrid’s coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who ultimately cast him away from the team. Figo’s performances with the Portuguese side got better after reaching his third decade, leading them to the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup, where they were eliminated by Zidane’s France. Always being a mentor for CR7, Figo’s advice to maintain top-notch skills while playing for Real Madrid may come in handy.

Figo, back in his 30's, playing for Real Madrid.

Ronaldinho

When he was at his prime, no one could figure out Ronaldo Assis de Moreira. His peak came when he was 26, but the dazzling Brazilian midfielder refused to give up nightlife in order to keep himself as a top competitor. When he became 30, “Dinho” was the driving force behind AC Milan’s comeback in the Italian Serie A, finishing third behind Inter and Roma. He even reclaimed his spot as Brazil’s playmaker before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but coach Dunga infuriated fans by denying him the chance to play in his third global tournament. After being snubbed by his National team’s coach, Ronaldinho maintained his relaxed life style and never bounced back to full fitness, giving his fans only what he thought would be enough. Even with that, he became one of the few players ever to win the UEFA Champions League, the World Cup, and the Copa Libertadores, and he did it at the age of 33.

Dinho, during his final days with AC Milan

Cristiano Ronaldo’s chance of getting better with age are not that slim, if you take into consideration his commitment to excellence and his disposition to become the best player ever. His first test of how his thirties reflect on his playing style will come against one of Real Madrid’s most-hated opponents, when they meet with Diego Simeone’s Atletico. Most likely, Cristiano Ronaldo’s age won’t matter when he starts the game on Saturday, but maybe being a more mature person will help him reach heights he never dreamed of.