20 January 2024 , 01:00
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Cristiano Ronaldo has joked he will keep on playing for '10 more years' after the Portuguese superstar dropped a major hint on his retirement plans.
The 38-year-old has been in sensational form for Al-Nassr this season, scoring 30 goals in 31 matches in all competitions. He is currently the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League (20), with Aleksandar Mitrovic (17) and Georges Kevin N'Koudou (14) in second and third respectively.
Ronaldo hasn't shown any signs of slowing down since his move to Saudi Arabia 12 months ago, but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who turns 39 next month, was quizzed on his future on Friday. The ex-Real Madrid forward revealed he will end his career "soon" but then claimed he was "joking".
"At the moment when I finish I don't know to be honest," he said, while attending the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. "Of course it will be soon. By soon I mean 10 years more. I'm joking! I don't know, let's see."
Ronaldo has less than 18 months remaining on his contract at Al-Nassr after joining following his release from Manchester United. When that deal expires, Ronaldo will have turned 40, completed his second full season in Saudi Arabia and played in the European Championships with Portugal.
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In 2020, former Portugal boss Fernando Santos revealed that Ronaldo will play until he is 40, meaning retirement for the goal-getter won't at least happen for another year. Speaking at the time, Santos told TVI24: "Cristiano is ready to play until he's 40, but he doesn't know if it will happen. At some point he may feel that he no longer has the same conditions. He's not a player who will lower his level, when he feels like he can't be Ronaldo, he won't."
Cristiano Ronaldo left Man United for Al-Nassr (Getty Images)Meanwhile, earlier in 2020, Ronaldo also opened up on his plans to play until he is 40. He said: "Much will depend on what I feel, on my motivation. Physically it will never be a problem.
"I am treating myself well and I think can play safely up to 40 years. The most important factor, honestly, will be more psychological - that will be the one that makes the difference. In any case, everything has a beginning and an end. I won't last a lifetime but I still feel strong enough to continue winning. I will stop if I have no incentives."