Mamelodi Sundowns Star Credits Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo for Inspiring Him to Keep Pushing

• Cristiano Ronaldo's longevity and continued self-belief has served as an inspiration to many football superstars
• Al-Nassr's Ronaldo became the first person in history to be the top scorer in four different professional leagues
• Peter Shalulile endured a difficult season for Mamelodi Sundowns, but he isn't letting it stop him from pushing on

Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired many footballers around the world, even those in the DStv Premiership.

The Portuguese star’s longevity and passion for the game have been often praised, and it’s something Peter Shalulile wants to emulate.

As noted by The South African, the Mamelodi Sundowns striker used CR7 as an example of how players could perform at the highest levels year after year, if they believed in themselves.

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“If you believe in yourself, and you know you’re a good player and a good striker, those are things that make you not give up on yourself.

“We see it in Europe also. The best CR7; people thought he was done, but he’s breaking records and still believes in himself. There are things that motivate me when I watch him,” the Sundowns marksman added.

Now 39, Ronaldo continues to defy his age, as he recently broke another record, GOAL noted.

Shalulile’s slow season for Sundowns

While he’s consistently been Sundowns’ leading scorer since joining the side, injuries have slowed down his progress this year.

As per Transfermarkt, he’s played 39 games and only scored 15 goals.

The 30-year-old Namibian striker only scored 15 goals in 39 games for Sundowns this season, with five of those 15 goals coming in the last six games of the season.

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Despite the struggles he has faced, Shalulile is adamant that he can’t give up because there are people who look up to him.

“If I give up, we kill the generations behind us. So that is what keeps me going.

With the season officially over, and the European Championship taking centre stage during the off-season break, Shalulile will have plenty of opportunity to find his form once more.

Shalulile closes in on record

While the Sundowns star did endure a difficult season with the Brazilians, he has impressed in many other ways.

Sports Brief previously reported that Shalulile was nearing a long-standing record set by Siyabonga Nomvethe.

The former Kaizer Chiefs ace still holds the record as the Premier Soccer League’s all-time leading goal-scorer.