Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football's greatest players, has made it clear that he does not want a farewell tour with the Portugal national team. Despite his remarkable career, which began on the streets of Madeira and has taken him across Spain, Italy, England, and now Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo insists that his retirement from international football will be a spontaneous decision.
Currently playing for Al-Nassr, where he has scored 61 goals and provided 16 assists in 67 games since joining in January 2023, Ronaldo hinted that he might retire at the Saudi club. The 39-year-old expressed his happiness with the club and the country, stating his desire to continue playing there for the foreseeable future.
Reflecting on his illustrious career, Ronaldo acknowledged his most successful period at Real Madrid, where he scored an incredible 450 goals in 438 appearances, solidifying his status as one of the all-time greats. He also holds the record as the all-time leading goal scorer internationally.
As for his post-retirement plans, Ronaldo dismissed the idea of becoming a coach, a path taken by many former top players like Pep Guardiola, Xabi Alonso, and Mikel Arteta. Instead, Ronaldo envisions himself pursuing endeavors outside of football, though he remains uncertain about what the future holds.
"When I decide to leave the national team, I won't make an announcement beforehand—it will be a spontaneous but carefully thought-out decision." Ronaldo shared. He emphasized his current focus on helping the national team in upcoming matches, including the Nations League, where he hopes to participate.
In conclusion, while Ronaldo’s future may be uncertain, his legacy as one of football’s greatest players is firmly established, and his retirement, whenever it happens, will undoubtedly mark the end of an era.
