Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has dismissed talk of potential retirement, insisting that he will play on for as long as he wants.
Ronaldo turned 37 earlier this year and has been a full-time professional for 20 years. He is also the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football, as well as the all-time top scorer in the history of professional football with 807 goals for club and country.
But the veteran five-time Ballon d’Or winner isn’t ready to quit just yet.
“Who will decide my future will be me,” he said when quizzed on it ahead of Portugal’s decisive World Cup qualifying play-off against North Macedonia.
“If I feel like playing more, I will. I'm the boss, end of story,” he added.
In the past, Ronaldo has hinted at playing on into the next decade of his life.
“I want to find out if I'm going to play until I'm 40, 41, or 42,” he has said previously.
Ronaldo has been painted as a problem by United’s critics this season. But his goals – 18 of them in all competitions – have contributed massively to some important results, while no other United player has even reached double figures in front of goal in all competitions so far.
Having sensationally returned to Old Trafford last summer, Ronaldo has a contract with United until the end of next season. The deal also includes an option to extend by a further year until June 2024, by which time he would be 39.
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Source : 90min