There doesn’t appear to be much in the world that appeals to Cristiano Ronaldo more than scoring goals, but the 39-year-old will retire from football at some point.
After a landmark season in the Saudi Pro League in 2023/24, Ronaldo said: “I don’t follow the records, the records follow me.”
Since joining the Saudi club on a free transfer in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United, the Portugal icon has scored 64 goals in 69 games across all competitions.
For his country, Euro 2024 marked his 11th major tournament, but it has ended in heartbreak after Portugal were dumped out on penalties in the quarterfinal by France.
After what many believe will be his last hurrah on the major stage has come to an end, questions are now bound to be asked about Ronaldo’s future in the game, and whether he will retire from international football with Portugal — and perhaps even altogether.
The Sporting News takes a look at his contract details and what’s been said in the past about CR7’s potential retirement.
MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time goal scoring record
When is Cristiano Ronaldo retiring?
At the start of 2024, Ronaldo jokingly said he had 10 more years left to play before he will retire. He was at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai when he 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 laughed. “No I am joking, I don’t know, let’s see.”
A video of his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, also went viral when she was overheard saying: “One more year for Cristiano and then it’s over. Maybe two, I don’t know,” while she chatted to models at Paris Fashion Week.
At international level, there was much speculation that the World Cup in 2022 would be Ronaldo’s last act with Portugal, particularly as he was dropped to the bench for the team’s knockout stage matches against Switzerland and Morocco.
But he played on post that tournament, with a change of coach seeing a revival in his fortunes as Roberto Martinez replaced Fernando Santos and promptly named Ronaldo as his captain.
He has led Portugal into battle at Euro 2024, although in the end it was a hugely disappointing tournament for him, with zero goals scored personally and Portugal failing to make it beyond the quarterfinal stage.
At times, he looked like a spent force, and the abiding memory will likely be of him breaking down in tears after a penalty miss in extra time against Slovenia in the Round of 16. That said, one of the game’s greatest players showed his character to step up again and score in the subsequent shootout to secure that quarterfinal meeting with France.
With another run over, time is surely ticking down on his international career, and it would not be a surprise if he were to retire from international football after the tournament in Germany.
In the days leading up to the quarterfinal, he was interviewed and asked about his future: “It is, without doubt, my last European Championship,” Ronaldo told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.
“But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by all that football means — by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm for seeing my supporters, my family, the affection people have for me.
It’s not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win? It’s not going to come down to one point more or one point less. Making people happy is what motivates me the most. — Cristiano Ronaldo on his international future.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Club career, history
When the end comes, few can argue that it has been one of the greatest careers we have ever seen.
At 16 years old, Ronaldo’s talent was spotted in Sporting’s youth team as he was then promoted to the first team. He made his debut for the club in the UEFA Champions League at 17, before Manchester United snapped him up in 2003 for £12 million.
At Old Trafford, he donned the prestigious number 7 shirt, delivering numerous titles and personal accolades in his first spell with the club.
Real Madrid spent €94 million for his services in 2009, and he became their all-time top scorer as well as winning four Ballon d’Or awards. His spell at Madrid included such unforgettable moments as winning four Champions League titles, two LaLiga triumphs and the FIFA Club World Cup three times.
In 2018, seeking fresh challenges amid reported discontent, he made a transfer to Juventus for €100 million, where he continued his goal scoring records and won back-to-back Serie A titles.
His return to United in 2021 was marked by a sensational debut when he scored twice in a 4-1 win over Newcastle, yet the season ended trophyless, and managerial changes led to his departure in 2022.
Ronaldo found another challenge as he moved to Al Nassr in 2023, where he has recently broken the record for the most goals in one Saudi Pro League season.
Ronaldo senior club career YearsTeam2002–2003Sporting2003–2009Manchester United2009–2018Real Madrid2018–2021Juventus2021–2022Manchester United2023–PresentAl Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo career with Portugal
Having appeared as a youth international from Under-15 through to the Under-23 side, Ronaldo made his senior debut for the Portugal national team against Kazakhstan in 2003.
He has gone on to claim 212 caps, and score 130 goals for his country in a 21-year international career. He is the highest scorer in international football history.
At international level, he has not been as successful as he has at club level, and has never won a World Cup. You can read more about his record at the European Championship here.
How much is Ronaldo’s salary at Al Nassr?
Spanish publication Marca reported that Ronaldo received a €100 million (£86.1m/$105m) signing-on fee when he signed for Al Nassr.
With his salary and commercial agreement combined, Ronaldo reportedly earns close to €200m per year (£172m/$211m) in Saudi Arabia, making him the highest-paid footballer on the planet.
According to reports, MLS side Sporting Kansas City also held talks with Ronaldo and offered a similar level of pay, but the five-time Ballon d’Or winner decided against a move to the United States.
Why did Al Nassr sign Ronaldo?
Al Nassr’s move for Ronaldo was motivated by their desire to become a major power in Asian football, to compete with their Arab neighbors and challenge clubs from China, Japan and South Korea on a continental level.
The deal is also expected to have played a role in Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2030 World Cup, following on from the 2022 tournament in Qatar, with Ronaldo tipped to play an ambassadorial role in the host selection process.
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