Cristiano Ronaldo, the football legend who holds the record for the most official goals in the history of the sport, is nearing the end of his illustrious career. At 39 years old, many fans have been speculating about when he will retire. With Euro 2024 just around the corner and Ronaldo turning 40 in February 2025, some believed this tournament could be his perfect swansong. Furthermore, his move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, often seen as a retirement league, has only fueled retirement rumors. Ronaldo’s support for bringing the World Cup to Saudi Arabia has also led fans to question his future plans.
However, it seems that Ronaldo is not going anywhere anytime soon. He is currently playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and has been in exceptional form this season. Scoring an incredible 42 goals in 41 games in all competitions, he is currently the league’s top scorer. His contract with Al Nassr runs until June 2025, and with reported earnings of $215 million per year, it is unlikely that he will break the contract and leave such a lucrative deal behind.
Ronaldo has previously stated that he intends to play until he is at least 40 and then assess how he feels physically. But given his continued dominance on the field, both in the Saudi Pro League and at the international level, those plans may change. He has scored 10 goals in his last 10 matches for Portugal and is even considered one of the favorites for the Golden Boot at Euro 2024. Ronaldo holds the record for the most international caps and is the only player to have made over 200 appearances for his country. He is also the all-time leading scorer in both international play and overall, with a staggering total of 895 goals.
The possibility of reaching an unprecedented 1,000 goals seems within reach for Ronaldo. He is currently 105 goals away from achieving this milestone, and with his current scoring rate, it could take him just two or three more seasons. Recent reports suggest that Ronaldo is interested in extending his contract with Al Nassr until 2027, giving him at least another two seasons at the club level. This would also put him in contention to play at the 2026 World Cup at the age of 41. Despite reaching the semifinals in five World Cup appearances, Ronaldo may want one final chance to win the trophy, especially after spending much of the 2022 tournament on the bench.
While Ronaldo has not revealed much about his retirement plans, he did joke earlier this year that he would play for another decade. However, he acknowledged that he doesn’t have many years left in football and emphasized the importance of enjoying each season. He expressed his love for the game and his dedication to the national team, stating that he has been playing for Portugal for 20 years and wants to continue. Ronaldo’s passion for football remains strong, and he cherishes every match, especially those representing his country.
In conclusion, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement has been a topic of speculation, it seems that he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet. With his exceptional form and desire to continue playing, Ronaldo is set to leave a lasting impact on the sport even as he approaches the end of his career. Fans can expect to witness more incredible moments from one of football’s greatest legends before he eventually bids farewell to the game.