RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday put a timeline on his cryptic retirement hint, saying he will hang up his boots in “one or two years” after telling the world he would soon retire.
The Portuguese forward, who has scored more than 950 goals for club and country, made his debut as a teenager for Sporting in 2002 and said in an interview that he would soon retire to spend time with his family.
Ronaldo extended his contract with Saudi Al-Nassr in June until 2027 and the 40-year-old Portuguese is also aiming for next year’s World Cup, the only major title still missing from his trophy cabinet.
“Soon for me means in 10 years… No, I’m joking,” Ronaldo said via video call at a global summit on tourism and investment hosted by Saudi Arabia.
“I’m really enjoying this moment at the moment. As you know, in football, when you reach a certain age, you count the months very quickly.
“I feel very good at the moment. I’m scoring goals, I still feel fast and sharp. I’m enjoying my game in the national team. But let’s be honest. By soon I mean probably one or two years.”
Ronaldo’s last World Cup
With Portugal on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo confirmed the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be his swan song on football’s biggest stage.
“Certainly, because I will be 41 years old (at the World Cup),” said Ronaldo, who is also the top scorer in history with 143 international goals.
“I have given everything for football. I have been in football for 25 years. I have done everything, I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams.
“I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.”
Cristiano Jr follows in Ronaldo’s footsteps
Ronaldo said he knows he will go down in history as one of the best players ever.
But can his son Cristiano Jr, who is following in his footsteps by playing for the Portuguese Under-16 team, be a better player than his father?
“As human beings, we always don’t want anyone to be better than us. But I would want my children to be better than me. I will never be jealous of him,” he said.
“I don’t want to put any pressure on that, because what I want for him is to be happy. It doesn’t matter whether you want to play football or do another sport. Be happy, be free. Don’t be under the pressure from your father, because that’s a lot.”
“This is a new generation, a different generation. They think differently, they live differently. But as a father, I am here to help him be what he wants to be. I will be his support.”
