'Didn't want to end up like that' - Cristiano Ronaldo's relegation to Portugal bench at 2022 World Cup influenced Horse Racing legend Frankie Dettori's retirement decision

The popular Italian called time on his 35-year riding career last December — a decision he has subsequently reversed — and told the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year Awards that watching Ronaldo's relegation to the bench during Portugal's 2022 World Cup campaign had brought him to that decision.

Speaking to the BBC via video link from Spain, Dettori explained: "At the beginning of the season, I was like I am 52. I watched Ronaldo at the World Cup starting on the bench, I didn't want to end like that. So I thought I'd call it quits and when I call it a day things will ease up.

"But the opposite happened, wherever I went I kept on winning. I did my farewells and I kept on winning and winning, and I thought 'Am I doing the right thing?'."

Despite becoming one of Arsenal's most famous celebrity fans and firm friends with the likes of Thierry Henry, Dettori has set north London rivalry aside for professional duties, riding horses owned by former Tottenham managers Harry Redknapp and Ossie Ardiles.

Al-Nassr striker Ronaldo has gone on to boost his numbers at both international and club level after last year's World Cup disappointment. Dettori will be hoping he can enhance his own statistics when he heads for a new chapter of his career in America this month.