Cristiano Ronaldo recently achieved his 132nd international victory, surpassing his former Real Madrid teammate, Sergio Ramos, who had 131 with Spain. This milestone came after Portugal’s dominant 5-1 victory over Poland in the UEFA Nations League, where Ronaldo scored twice, including a spectacular bicycle kick. This win secured Portugal’s place in the quarter-finals of the competition, further solidifying Ronaldo’s legacy in international soccer.
At 39 years old, Ronaldo reflected on his career and emphasized that his main goal is to continue enjoying playing football. Although retirement is approaching as he nears his 40th birthday, Ronaldo stated that he is not focused on it yet. He clarified that he will keep playing as long as he remains motivated and physically able. He expressed that when the time comes and he no longer feels driven, he will retire from the sport.
Speculation surrounding Ronaldo’s future has also increased, particularly regarding a potential move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. This move could see him play against his longtime rival, Lionel Messi, who recently joined Inter Miami. However, Ronaldo dismissed any immediate plans to retire or make the move, focusing instead on his current enjoyment of the game.
Additionally, Ronaldo ruled out the possibility of transitioning into coaching once his playing career ended. He made it clear that managing a team is not something he sees in his future, and that his life after football will likely involve other ventures. Ronaldo is not yet certain what those future pursuits will be, but he is confident they lie outside the world of soccer coaching.
For now, Ronaldo will focus on Portugal’s final group-stage match in the UEFA Nations League against Croatia. However, he will leave the team early to return to Al Nassr, his current club in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo will continue his season in the Saudi Pro League, where he is playing at a high level and maintaining his focus on enjoying the game as long as possible.