Cristiano Ronaldo is finally hanging up his cleats. He told reporters this is "probably" his last year playing professional soccer. Good. We knew his retirement was brewing after that little lunchtime kickabout distracted him last month. Now he is making the clutch call.
Leaving the pampered world of international soccer is a gutsy move. It takes a massive set of stones to admit your legs are gone. But walking away from the soft European cardio sessions is just the preseason.
The real crucible awaits in the suburbs. Gary’s driveway pickleball league starts in May. The pavement is violently cracked. The portable net sags in the middle. The homeowners association is actively hostile.
You simply cannot teach that kind of grit.
