Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most relevant figures in football today. Despite his departure a few years ago to the Saudi league, the Portuguese striker continues to be in the spotlight, both for his performances on the pitch and for his statements off it.
The latest have been for the French media outlet ‘Telefoot’. Ronaldo has spoken about the eternal debate of the best in history and the need or not to have a World Cup to be so: “It would not be fair for me to say that I need a World Cup to say that I have been successful in my career”.
He also hinted at the possibility of playing at the next World Cup in 2026: “When the next World Cup comes around, if I’m still physically and mentally fit and if the national team needs my services, I’ll be available for that.”
In addition to playing in another World Cup, one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s dreams is to share the pitch with his son before he retires: “I would like to play with my 14-year-old son, but we’ll see, it depends more on me than on him.”
The future and retirement
Retirement is a common issue in his recent interviews. “I like to play, I know there will be an end. In one, two or three years, I don’t know. I don’t care. Passion is still the most important thing. Before a game I always have a knot in my stomach, I always have that adrenaline that goes up and makes me sweat. I still feel that and it’s that passion that still drives me to play,” the Portuguese revealed in a chat with ‘Canal 11’.
In his interview with Edu Aguirre he also spoke about his future: “I could leave my career today and I wouldn’t regret anything, but it would be a shame because I’m still very good, I’m still making a difference. I would leave saying ‘I can still make a difference for another year or two’, that’s why I live a lot in the present and I can’t think long term.”
For that future, the Portuguese has been preparing for years and months: “I’m preparing myself, I’m preparing my future with companies, things that can motivate me, that I can help society, young people… Hotels, clinics, recovery companies. Do things that I can spend time with, that I enjoy. But it will be difficult, obviously it will be difficult. I don’t think about it, but I know it’s close. I think I’ll be ready. I talk to Pepe, who retired recently, and he tells me he’s better than ever. One of the things that can leave you calm is to prolong your career as long as you can and when you leave it you say ‘I couldn’t do it anymore’ and you’re proud of yourself. If I quit at 42, it’s a long age, it’s normal… it’s a gift. I dedicate myself too much to this and sometimes I live little. It’s getting harder and harder for me, I was in the national team and it was my daughter Alana’s birthday.”