Cristiano Ronaldo is stepping down from international soccer at 41. Here are his science-backed longevity secrets.

In an Instagram post shared with his 679 million followers on Thursday, he said it was time to hand back his No. "It was not an easy decision, because some decisions are not made with the mind alone - they are also made with the heart.

A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end," he said. Even if you don't particularlycare for soccer, his stats are eye-popping, and there has long been interest not only in hissecrets for successbut also in his longevity as a star player.

At985 goals, Ronaldo is the top soccer goal scorer of all time, followed by Argentina's Lionel Messi at 937 and Brazil's Pelé at 762. Ronaldo has the most nominations for the prestigious Ballon d'Or, at 18, and has won five times.

"This underscores his enduring consistency on the global football stage," the organization says on its website. Ronaldo sees dedication to his health and fitness as key to being an all-time soccer great.

"If you have talent but don't work hard, you won't win anything," Ronaldo said in 2016. "In my career, I've always worked hard in training and games.

It's hard work that achieves success."

Cristiano Ronaldo pictured in his number 7 shirt in 2003, the year he started playing for Portugal.

The challenge comes in sticking to the right habits consistently for decades. In Business Insider's numerous interviews withlongevity experts, they typically recommend sleeping enough, eating a nutritious but not-too-strict diet, doing regular cardio and strength training, managing stress, and making time for loved ones and fun.

Although his calorie needs as an elite athlete are far higher than the average person, it's well documented that Ronaldo's diet consists of lean meat and fish, plenty of vegetables, and skipping alcohol and excess sugar, which are hallmarks of the much-lauded Mediterranean diet. Ronaldo told Spanish sports commentator Edu Aguirre in an interview last year that he doesn't diet.

"I have good routines, and today if I feel like having a hamburger and sweet potatoes, no problem, but I'm not going to do more."