Cristiano Ronaldo has joked about his likely retirement from football with the 38-year-old delivering a tongue in cheek response when asked about his future plans.
The Al-Nassr forward was asked about when he planned to hang up his boots in Dubai, where is is attending the Globe Soccer Awards.
Ronaldo initially claimed he will retire ‘soon’, before the football legend cheekily suggesting he can remain at the top of the game for a while yet.
‘The moment I finish, I don’t know to be honest,’ Ronaldo said.
‘Of course it will be soon, soon I mean 10 years more.
‘No I am joking, I don’t know, let’s see.’
Cristiano Ronaldo has joked about his planned retirement when questioned over his future.
The Al-Nassr forward will turn 39 next month but has played down talk of imminent retirement.
Ronaldo was accompanied by Georgina Rodriguez at this evening’s Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, with the pair pictured smiling at each other as they took their seats.
Ronaldo, who turns 39 next month, currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
The Portugal star joined the club in a deal worth a reported £175million-a-year last January, following the cancellation of his contract at Man United.
Ronaldo had been quizzed about his future plans while on stage at the Globe Soccer Awards.
The forward scooped three prizes at the awards ceremony in Dubai.
He topped a 12-player shortlist to win the inaugural ‘Best Middle East Player’ award after a remarkable start to life with Al-Nassr.
He is the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League this season with 20 goals, three ahead of nearest rival Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Ronaldo finished as the top scorer in world football in 2023, netting 54 goals for club and country over the calendar year.
The haul led to Ronaldo being presented with the ‘Maradona Award’ as the top marksmen over the past 12 months, ending ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland.
Ronaldo (pictured on the left) was seen chatting on stage at the start of the ceremony, while Rodriguez (pictured on the right) was seen cheering him on from her seat.
Ronaldo was honoured with the Maradona Award for the most goals scored during 2023.
The football legend also received a fan favourite award at the ceremony in Dubai.
Ronaldo was also named as the winner of the ‘Fan Favourite’ award at the ceremony.
The former Real Madrid, Man United and Juventus star will return to Al-Nassr to lead the club’s title challenge in the second half of the domestic season.
Al-Nassr are seeking to chase down league leaders Al-Hilal, with Ronaldo’s side hoping to cut into their rival’s seven point advantage.
The club also remain in contention in the Asian Champions League and Saudi Arabia’s King’s Cup.
Ronaldo’s current contract at Al-Nassr is due to run until the end of the 2024-25 season, when he would be 40.
TV host Piers Morgan, a close friend of Ronaldo, claimed after interviewing the star in 2022 that the football legend had told him he wanted to retire around 40.