15 October 2023 , 23:57
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Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he is thinking “more in the short term” but refused to put any timeframe on his retirement from football.
Ronaldo had previously indicated he wanted his career at the top level to last until at least 2024, which would include next summer’s European Championship finals. However, fresh reports suggest he wants to continue playing until 2027. He will celebrate his 39th birthday in February, while he will be aged 41 by the time of the next World Cup – in three years’ time.
The Portuguese superstar became the highest-ever goalscorer in international football in 2021 while he has now scored a total of 125 goals for Portugal in 202 caps. He captained his nation in last year’s World Cup finals in Qatar and wants to have at least one more major tournament, having won the European Championships in 2016.
Ronaldo’s Portugal side were beaten 1-0 by Morocco in their quarter-final in Qatar last December and the superstar went straight down the tunnel in tears after missing out on what appeared to be the final chance to add the only major honour missing from his glittering CV.
Ronaldo has now addressed his long-term future by stating he was no longer thinking about it and it was not appropriate to put any definitive date on when he may decide to hang up his boots.
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“Things have happened in my life, both on a personal and professional level, that make me think more in the short term nowadays,” Ronaldo told reporters after netting twice in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Slovakia, in quotes translated by PortuGoal.
“People say I’m going to play on until I’m 40 or 41 years old. I don’t set these targets. It’s a question of just enjoying the moment, which is a good moment. I feel good. My body is responding to how I’ve treated it over the years. I’m happy both at my club and in the Seleçao. I’ve scored plenty of goals, I feel in good shape physically. It’s a question of enjoying the moment.”
Have Your Say! Is not winning the World Cup a notable downside to Ronaldo’s legacy? Tell us what you think here.
Ronaldo's World Cup campaign ended in tears in Qatar after Portugal's last eight loss (Getty Images)Ronaldo previously had rejected the theory that winning the World Cup would decide the debate about football’s greatest ever player between him and Lionel Messi. The Portuguese stated: “Even if I win the World Cup that will continue. Some people like me more, some less. It’s like in life, some like blondes, some like brunettes.
“I have always had to show what I can do year after year. I would love to win this tournament. I’m ambitious but if you tell me I won’t win any more tournaments I would still be happy given all I have won. In the history books all other records will be there. But obviously a World Cup on the shelf wouldn’t be bad. It would be a dream.”