Portugal coach, Roberto Martinez, has talked about when Cristiano Ronaldo might decide to stop playing football.
The 41-year-old forward continues to play at the top level even though he’s older, and he’s expected to take part in the FIFA World Cup this summer.
Martinez spoke with the BBC and was asked for his thoughts on when Cristiano Ronaldo might retire, as he had been working closely with Ronaldo for three years.
The ex-Belgium and Wigan Athletic manager said that, based on the numbers, the forward is not getting older physically, and that his physical condition won’t decide when he will retire.
He said that Ronaldo is a player who is very hard on himself and will stop playing when he thinks he can’t give anything more.
“Well, we got all the stats. If you were analyzing a player who is dropping in terms of physical ability, that’s not the situation. His physical abilities are those of a player who can keep going and going and going. I think it’s more about when he’ll feel it’s the right time.
“I believe he is a player who is really hard on himself. When he realizes he can’t help the team anymore, he’ll be the one to decide when to stop.”
Ronaldo has been playing professional football for almost 24 years, starting his career with Sporting Club in 2002. He joined Manchester United a year later, and his career started to go really well in the English Premier League.
Ronaldo, who is now 41 years old, plays for Al-Nassr, a team in the Saudi Pro League. He joined the club in January 2023, after the World Cup. He is still under contract with the Saudi giants until 2027, after signing a new agreement with them last summer.
It’s still unclear whether he will decide to retire after his contract in Saudi Arabia ends or continue playing.