Frank Christian
Cristiano Ronaldo, known for his love of scoring goals, will eventually retire from football despite his remarkable success at the age of 39.
Following an outstanding season in the Saudi Pro League, where he scored 64 goals in 69 games after joining the Saudi club post his Manchester United stint, Ronaldo expressed his prowess on the field by stating, “I don’t follow the records, the records follow me.”
He is currently representing Portugal at his 11th major tournament, the European Championship in Germany, sparking questions about whether this could be his final appearance on the international stage.
The Sporting News provides a closer look at his contract situation and speculations regarding his retirement.
When will Cristiano Ronaldo Retire?
In early 2024, Ronaldo joked about having 10 more years left before retiring during the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, where he humorously said, “The moment I finish, I don’t know to be honest.
“Of course it will be soon, soon I mean 10 years more,” he added playfully. He also mentioned that the exact timing of his retirement remained uncertain.”
Regarding his international career, although there were talks that the 2022 World Cup could have been his swansong with Portugal, recent developments suggest he might consider stepping down after the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.
Cristiano Ronaldo: A Journey through Club Football
Ronaldo’s football journey began when he was scouted at the age of 16 by Sporting’s youth team before swiftly rising to the first team. His notable move to Manchester United in 2003 for £12 million marked the beginning of an illustrious career, earning him multiple titles and individual accolades with the club.
His transfer to Real Madrid in 2009 for €94 million further solidified his status as a top player, where he secured remarkable achievements including becoming the all-time leading scorer for the club and winning four Ballon d’Or awards.
Ronaldo’s stint at Juventus from 2018 to 2021 saw him achieve back-to-back Serie A titles before making a celebrated return to Manchester United in 2021. Following a brief spell at the club, he ventured to Al Nassr in 2023, setting records in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Impact with Portugal
Debuting for the Portugal national team in 2003, Ronaldo has amassed over 200 caps and scored more than 130 goals throughout his 21-year international career, establishing himself as the top scorer in international football history.
Despite his success at club level, Ronaldo has yet to win a World Cup at the international level.
Ronaldo’s Lucrative Salary at Al Nassr
Reports suggest that Ronaldo secured a €100 million signing-on fee upon joining Al Nassr, with his overall earnings amounting to nearly €200 million per year in Saudi Arabia, making him among the highest-paid footballers globally.
While there were discussions with MLS team Sporting Kansas City, Ronaldo opted for Al Nassr due to the comparable financial package and the allure of new challenges.
Reasons behind Al Nassr’s Ronaldo Signing
Al Nassr’s decision to sign Ronaldo was not only driven by their ambition to strengthen their position in Asian football but also to enhance competition against clubs from various regions and potentially boost Saudi Arabia’s 2030 World Cup bid.
