Cristiano Ronaldo has said he will retire “soon” and, although he admits it will be difficult to end his brilliant career, the 40-year-old has been planning his post-football life for some time.
The Al Nassr striker, who has scored 952 goals for club and country, said last month that he aims to reach 1,000 goals before retiring.
“Soon,” said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner when asked when he would hang up his boots.
“I think I’ll be prepared. It will be very, very difficult,” he told Piers Morgan’s Uncensored program in an interview published on Tuesday (4).
“But I’ve been planning my future since I was 25, 26, 27 years old. I think I’ll be able to handle this pressure. Nothing compares to the adrenaline of scoring a goal in football,” said the Portuguese.
“But everything has a beginning and everything has an end. I will have more time for myself, for my family, to raise my children,” he added.
The former Manchester United striker said he still follows the club’s results despite ending an unhappy second spell with the team three years ago.
United had their worst Premier League performance last season since relegation in 1973/74, finishing in 15th place.
“I’m sad, because the club is one of the most important in the world and a club that I still hold dear to my heart,” said Ronaldo.
“They don’t have a structure. I hope that changes in the present and in the future, because the club’s potential is incredible.”
“They are not on a good path. And it’s not just about the coach and the players, in my opinion… He (coach Ruben Amorim) is doing his best. What are you going to do? Miracles are impossible.”
