According to English football legend Alan Shearer, only Cristiano Ronaldo himself knows when he will retire.
Now past the age of 40, the Portuguese superstar shows little sign of slowing down. Defying age, Ronaldo continues to perform at a high level, game after game. The question of when he will finally stop has become a hot topic, but Shearer believes no one but Ronaldo can answer that. The former England striker also said he’s eager to see what the five-time Ballon d’Or winner does next.
At the moment, there’s plenty of speculation surrounding Ronaldo’s club future. After closing the chapter on European football, he joined Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in December 2022. His current contract with the club expires this June. Following Al Nassr’s recent defeat to Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo posted on social media:
“This chapter is over. But the story? Still being written. Grateful to everyone.”
This message has sparked rumors that Ronaldo might be preparing to leave Al Nassr. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hinted—more than once—that Ronaldo could feature in the upcoming, newly expanded 32-team Club World Cup. With Saudi club Al Hilal and Moroccan side Wydad among the qualified teams, some believe either could be his next destination. Meanwhile, Al Nassr is reportedly making strong efforts to keep hold of their star player.
Ronaldo remains an important part of the Portuguese national team as well. Coach Roberto Martínez has included the all-time international top scorer in the squad for the final stage of the UEFA Nations League. Portugal is set to face Germany in the semifinals this Wednesday, and a win would take them to the final against either Spain or France.
With Ronaldo chasing the milestone of 1,000 career goals, retirement doesn’t seem to be on his mind just yet. In an interview with Betfair, 54-year-old Premier League legend Shearer spoke about Ronaldo’s current form and what could lie ahead in his career:
“Ronaldo has hinted at leaving his current club. What’s his next move? I don’t know. Of course, he’s not as good as he used to be—at this age, that’s impossible. But somehow, he’s still going strong and still scoring at this level. I don’t know exactly what’s happening in his career. He’s still playing for Portugal, and they’re not going to push him into retirement—it has to be his own decision.”
“Whether he wants to play in the Club World Cup or the World Cup next year—I have no idea. But seeing what his next move will be, and what the future holds for his career, will be truly fascinating. Watching him perform like this at his age is just amazing. Playing and scoring goals at 40, at any level, is extraordinary.”
Shearer’s words capture what many fans feel: Ronaldo’s journey isn’t over yet, and whatever comes next will be worth watching.
