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Cristiano Ronaldo admits he could retire from football next year


Juventus icon Cristiano Ronaldo says he could retire at the end of the season (Picture: Getty)

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he could retire from football as early as next year but insists he’s ‘happy’ at Juventus for the time being.

The 34-year-old forward is widely regarded to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game after lifting five Ballon d’Ors and multiple trophies across Europe.

Last season, Ronaldo added two more pieces of silverware to his ever-expanding cabinet after completing a move from Real Madrid to Juventus, winning the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italia.

The Portugal superstar also scored 28 goals in 43 games in an impressive debut campaign in Italy.

However, Ronaldo admits he could hang up his boots at the end of the 2019/20 season despite signing a four-year contract in Turin last summer.

‘I don’t need football to live well, I’m fine financially,’ he told TV1.

‘What I need are attractive projects and Juve’s is one of them. I’ve always liked this team, they’re the best in Italy and one of the best in the world.

‘They’ve always fought to establish themselves in Europe. And after winning in England and Spain, I also won in Italy and I’m happy to be here.

‘I was worse in defeat a few years ago. If I lost, sometimes I didn’t have dinner, I’d go into a room and left the next day.

Ronaldo has won trophies across Europe (Picture: Getty)

‘With maturity, I learned that the most important thing in life wasn’t football. Obviously you have to be focused, because it’s your job, but you can also disconnect from it.

‘I could end my career next year, but I could also play until I’m 40, 41 years old. I don’t know, but what I always say is that you have to enjoy the moment.

‘The present is excellent and I must enjoy it.’

Juventus team-mate Sami Khedira believes Ronaldo sets the bar for athletes across all sports, comparing the Portuguese to global icons LeBron James and Tom Brady.

‘Ronaldo is an example for all sportsmen, like LeBron James in basketball or Tom Brady in American football,’ the Germany midfielder said.

‘Or like [Gianluigi] Buffon. When the boys see Gigi pushing weights for 45 minutes, at 41, they understand his love for this sport and can only think, ‘I can do it too’.

‘Older players are a great motivator for the younger ones.’

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