'I was gobsmacked' - Cristiano Ronaldo retirement date revealed by former Man Utd team-mate Rio Ferdinand

The evergreen Portuguese scored 50 goals for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr last season and was on target when helping to fire them into the final of the Super Cup during his first outing of 2024-25. He did go goalless through Euro 2024, as questions were asked of his ability to compete at the very highest level, but the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has made a record-breaking career out of silencing any doubters.

There has been talk of Ronaldo playing through to the 2026 World Cup, having already earned 212 international caps, with there more history for him to make before hanging up his boots. The all-time great has made no public statement regarding his future.

Ferdinand, though, claims to have inside knowledge regarding his illustrious ex-Old Trafford colleague. He has told ‘Rio Reacts’ of when CR7 could call it quits: “I can’t give too much away but I’ve been doing a few bits with Cristiano behind the scenes and he’s playing as long as he wants. He ain’t going nowhere. And I was gobsmacked. And listen, you’ll see it in time, but minimum three years I think he plays for again.”

Ronaldo is into the final year of his contract at Al-Nassr, with no extension agreed as yet. He has seen a return to his roots at Sporting speculated on for some time, with it possible that the legendary frontman could go full circle and finish where it all began.