Cristiano Ronaldo reveals retirement plans

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 2 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he has thought about retirement and could even see a situation where he quits football if Portugal win the World Cup.

The 37-year-old will likely leave Manchester United in January following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan and he admitted that retiring at 40 ‘would be a good age’.

However, when Morgan suggested a scenario where Ronaldo would score a hat-trick against Argentina in the World Cup final, including a last-minute winner, the Portuguese star laughed and admitted he would retire there and then.

QUOTES IN FULL: Read every word of Ronaldo's interview with Piers Morgan

He said: “It’s too good of a dream. Even if it was another player, I wouldn’t care if it means Portugal win. Even the goalkeeper, I would be the most happy man in the world.

“But if this happens? Come on. I will say now I will finish football if this happens. I’ll retire if that happens. 100%.”

While the dream scenario may be a long shot, Ronaldo did admit that he could see himself retiring in ‘two to three years.’

“I want to play two years more, three years more,” he said. “So two or three years maximum. I want to finish at 40. I think 40, will be a good age…but I don't know, I don't know the future.

“Sometimes you plan one thing for your life and as I told many times, the life is dynamic. And you never know what's going to happen.”

Ronaldo: I can still play at the top level

Ronaldo also insisted he was still capable of playing at the top level, claiming that he had adapted his game and that he would perform to his best when he felt happy.

“For me it's a stupid question,” Ronaldo said. “What do people say? They are not the same. Nobody is the same. Day by day we're getting old. Every one of us, you understand, it is normal.

DISRESPECT: Ronaldo claims Ten Hag 'provoked' him

“You have to adapt. And I think nobody in this game have this brain that adapts with his age. I'm not, I'm not want to be cocky to say that I'm the same as when I was 20. Of course, no.

“But I adapt and be smart to know my strength, what I'm good to do. And I'm still playing the high level and I score goals, and I will continue to score goals.

“If my mind is clear and happy. And if the people surround me, they're helping me to be successful player, especially the coach, the president, the directors.

“But when you feel that the energy don't go surround you it's difficult for you to be yourself, which is what's happened with me.”