Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he plans to retire “soon,” signalling the approaching end of his extraordinary football career. The 40-year-old Portugal captain and Al Nassr forward shared his thoughts during an emotional interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored.
Ronaldo, who has scored an incredible 952 career goals, said he is preparing mentally and emotionally for life after football. “Soon. But I think I will be prepared,” he said when asked about retirement. “It will be tough, yes. I’ll probably cry, but I’ve been preparing for this since I was 25 or 26.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner admitted it would be difficult to match the thrill of scoring goals but expressed excitement about spending more time with his family and pursuing other passions.
“Nothing compares to football’s adrenaline, but everything has a beginning and an end. I’ll have more time for myself and my family — to raise my kids, to follow Cristiano Junior, and to do fun things like playing Padel with friends,” he said.
Ronaldo’s illustrious career has seen him play for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, winning numerous league titles and Champions League trophies.
Currently with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, Ronaldo still follows Manchester United closely, especially under the management of his former Portugal teammate, Ruben Amorim.
He, however, urged fans to be realistic about the club’s current struggles. “He’s doing his best, but miracles are impossible. United have good players, but not all of them understand what Manchester United represents,” Ronaldo noted.
“Manchester United is still in my heart,” he added. “But they need change — and it’s not just about the coach or players.”