Ronal-done! . . . Cristiano drops shock hint he could retire at end of season

CRISTIANO RONALDO has admitted he could be in the last season of his career — but also reckons he might go on for another SEVEN years.

Ronaldo made his professional debut way back in 2002, when he embarked on a glittering career first with Sporting, then Manchester United, Real Madrid and now Juventus.

The Portugal international remains in outstanding shape and shows no signs of relenting as a player, but in a recent interview he hinted he might be ready to hang his boots up.

Ronaldo told Portuguese TV station TV1: “I don’t think about that (retirement).

“Maybe I can leave my career next year . . . but I can also play up to 40 or 41.

“I don’t know. What I always say is to enjoy the moment.

“The gift is excellent and I have to continue to enjoy it.”

In his 17-year professional career, Ronaldo has won a staggering number of trophies, including six major European league titles and five Champions Leagues.

But his list of individual accolades is arguably more impressive with five Ballons d’Or, five World Soccer Player of the Year awards and four Golden Shoes, awarded to the domestic top-scorer in Europe.

The only player who can match those figures is Ronaldo’s long-time rival Lionel Messi, with whom he is tied in each category.

But the Juventus star clearly believes he has done enough in his career to outdo Messi.

Ronaldo added: “Are there any soccer players who have more records than me?

“I don’t think there are any footballers who have more records than me.”

However, for all his successes on the pitch, Ronaldo has not always been a universally popular figure off the field.

This week his former Manchester United team-mate Diego Forlan criticised his pretty-boy attitude in the changing room, comparing him unfavourably to fellow fashion icon and Red Devil David Beckham.

Forlan told Fox Sports: “Cristiano always wanted to be near a mirror. He spent all day looking in the mirror.

“Ronaldo was changing in front of the mirror, tremendous.

“Beckham was more natural, they are different.

“Beckham was dishevelled and fit, the other you never saw dishevelled.”— The Sun

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