Will he stay at Man Utd? Ronaldo reveals future plans

FT Desk

18 Jan 2022 08:52 CST
3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo says that he plans to continue playing into his forties as rumours continue to swirl about his future at Manchester United.

Article continues under the video

Ronaldo returned to Man Utd last summer after 12 years away in a much-publicised transfer from Juventus.

The Portuguese superstar was aiming to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford and challenge for major trophies.

Ronaldo or Messi: Who has more goals & assists this season?

However, despite impressing individually with 14 goals in 21 games, the team is enduring a miserable season and are languishing down in seventh position.

This has led to widespread reports that Ronaldo already is looking for an escape out of the club.

Cristiano publicly backed Man Utd manager Ralf Rangnick last week but the feeling among many experts is that he will leave the club in the summer if they don’t qualify for next season’s Champions League.

On Monday, Ronaldo was in Zurich to collect a special award from FIFA for breaking the all-time international scoring record.

What did Ronaldo say?

“The people sometimes ask me how many more years I'm going to play, and I say I hope to play four, five more years. It's all about mentally,” Ronaldo, who turns 37 at the start of next month, said on Monday at FIFA’s The Best Award ceremony.

“I still have the passion for the game and to score goals. I have played football since I was five years old. When I go onto the pitch, even in training, my motivation is still there. Even at 37 soon, I feel good.

“I keep working hard. I love the game and have the passion. I want to continue. I hope to play maybe four or five years, It is all mental. If you treat your body good, when you need it, it will give back.”

Ronaldo overtook Iran’s Ali Daei last September as the greatest goalscorer in international football history and now has 115 strikes.