Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he plans to retire within the next three years but emphasized that he still feels he has unfinished business in football.
The 39-year-old currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, a team he joined in December 2022 following a contentious departure from Manchester United.
Ronaldo had previously established himself as a football icon during his initial stint at United and his nine years at Real Madrid.
Although his move to Saudi Arabia has shifted him away from the European football spotlight, he did represent Portugal at Euro 2024, which may be his final appearance in Europe as a player.
Ronaldo has confirmed that he will retire within the next three years.
Despite speculation about a potential return to European football, particularly to his boyhood club Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo will instead continue his career at Al-Nassr until the end.
Ronaldo told NOW via the Mirror: “I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years… but probably I will retire here at Al-Nassr.
“I’m very happy at this club, I feel good in this country too.
“I’m happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue.”
The 39-year-old played every game for Portugal at Euro 2024 but did not manage to score.
Despite this, Ronaldo has been in impressive form at Al-Nassr, netting three goals in the club’s opening three games.
He remains hopeful for another call-up for September’s Nations League matches.
However, Ronaldo has also suggested that the end of his international career may be near.
For now, though, he is focused on playing and has ruled out a future in coaching.
“When I leave the national team, I won’t tell anyone in advance and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a very well thought-out one,” Ronaldo added.
“Right now what I want is to be able to help the national team in their upcoming matches.
“We have the Nations League ahead of us and I would really like to play.
“At the moment, I’m not thinking about being a coach of the first team or any team.
“It doesn’t even cross my mind, I’ve never thought about it.
“I don’t see my future going through that.
“I see myself doing other things outside of football, but only God knows what the future holds.”
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has set a target for his side to win the 2026 World Cup, by which time Ronaldo may have retired.
Despite this, the Spaniard believes the superstar remains a crucial player for his team.
“When we talk about Cristiano, we are talking about a striker who scores goals,” he told zerozero.
“But our striker is much more than this. I was happy with his discipline.
“He opened up spaces, reacted to losing the ball, and I think the lack of goals from Cristiano was shared in general around the team.
“We lacked goals from players in the box, from Rafael Leão, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, for example.
“What Ronaldo did as a striker was what we expected from him.
“Overall he worked very well.”
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