Ronaldo: "I want to continue making history with this shirt"

Cristiano Ronaldo signalled his intention to keep playing for 10 more years after rounding off a “dream year” by signing a bumper new five-year contract with Real Madrid on Monday.

The deal, expected to protect Ronaldo’s status as the world’s highest paid footballer, will keep the Portuguese tied to the European champions until he is 36.

“What I most want is to continue enjoying the years I have left to play. I still have 10 years (ahead),” Ronaldo said after signing what he insisted will be his penultimate contract.

The three-time World Player of the Year has enjoyed his most successful year at a collective level, scoring the winning penalty as Madrid won the Champions League for an 11th time in May before captaining Portugal to their first major tournament win at Euro 2016.

“After the season I’ve had, to win the Champions League, the Euros and then renew my contract with Real Madrid it is something I never imagined. It is a dream year.”

Cristiano Ronaldo will continue adding to his legend at Real Madrid until 30 June 2021. The Presidential Box at the Santiago Bernabéu hosted the presentation of the contract extension for the club’s top scorer. Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez accompanied the Portuguese in an act which provoked great expectations. The player's family and a big representation of the Board of Real Madrid also attended. After the screening of a moving video showing highlights of his career, Florentino Pérez spoke first: "You are now the big icon of the club, the symbol of the best club in the history of football. You have become the successor of those mythical giants and you're defining an era. There will be a before and after of Cristiano Ronaldo". "With Real Madrid you have conquered everything. You're already a Real Madrid legend because you have become the top scorer in the club's history. They are many achievements and titles that make you a unique and unforgettable player. After your success of last season with Real Madrid and the national team, it is only fair that you will soon have your fourth Ballon d'Or. You don’t get tired of winning and that is why Real Madrid want you to continue here forever".

Cristiano: "It is a unique moment in my life""I want to thank the president, Real Madrid, the city, my teammates and all the people who helped me get to this point. It is a very special day for me, a very important day for my relationship with Real Madrid. This club is in my heart. It is a unique moment in my life, renewing for five more years and it is not the last contract because I want to stay here many more years". "Football does not have a memory but you, president, and Real Madrid do. I want to keep doing my best for this shirt and the best club in the world. I'll give it my best, score goals and win trophies. I am very happy because it is a dream come true for me".
After the speeches, a round of questions from journalists began. Cristiano Ronaldo reiterated his happiness to renew and explained his intentions for the future: "You never know. I want to stay here and finish here. It is not my last contract, I want to keep going until I’m 41, but now the most important thing is this special moment that makes me happy and my family too".
 
Remembering Di Stéfano
"I have had the privilege to meet Di Stefano. He said to me, 'Champion, continue like this, you're the greatest'. I had a special affection for this great person and a great player. I'll take his image as a reference. He and Raul, who were the top scorers of the club, will surely be happy for me. I want to keep scoring more goals".
 
Challenges
"The numbers are impressive. I did not expect these numbers in such a short time. I'll try to do my best in these five years, always wanting to learn and knowing that football teaches you many things. Whether I score or not is not as important as you think. After winning the Champions League, Euros and renewing, it is a dream year, a year that I would have never expected. I know that within a few weeks we will see Cristiano again".
 
"The important thing is to collectively win some important titles. I will continue working with the drive to always improve. I feel comfortable, it is the beginning of the season and the best is yet to come. I’m not obsessed with awards, it is something that comes naturally and I am relaxed and happy".
 
His direction
"I've improved a lot on a footballing level and on a personal level since I arrived. This club gives me that opportunity. I want to keep learning in football. I feel very good and happy. I feel the love of the people. What I want is to improve in my remaining years, which are a lot, 10 years. I want to keep improving".