'Incredible' Cristiano Ronaldo backed to play on until 45 as ex-Premier League rival explains why Al-Nassr superstar won't be thinking about retirement yet

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has passed his 40th birthday. He is showing no sign of slowing down, with the evergreen Portuguese registering 33 goals for his Saudi Pro League employers this season.

A contract extension in the Middle East is expected to be agreed through to the summer of 2026 - where Ronaldo will be hoping to grace another World Cup. He has offered no indication that retirement is in his thoughts.

With remarkable individual standards being maintained, as untimely injuries are avoided, there is every reason to believe that Ronaldo could continue for several years yet. Alan Hutton expects that to be the case.

The former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender - who once faced Manchester United icon Ronaldo in the English top-flight - has told BoyleSports, who offer the latest Champions League odds: “Cristiano Ronaldo probably feels that he could play to 45, no problem. Where he's playing at this moment in time, it's not the highest level. I know there's some big names out there, the way he looks after himself day to day, there's no reason that he can't go and play for another few years.

“He'll feel that he can, no problem. He'll feel that he can still score goals. So I feel that he would go on for as long as possible. And rightly so. If you feel good, why shouldn't you?”

Hutton added: “Playing against Cristiano Ronaldo, there's no getting away from it. It's very difficult. I mean, the size of him, especially when I first moved down, I think my first game at Tottenham was against Manchester United actually, and was against Ronaldo.

“But I loved that. I was young. I played with freedom myself and what an opportunity to go and test yourself against one of the best. But I think in the back of the mind, you always know that he could take you apart at any moment if you switch off.

“He had that ability to just go past you. He had pace, he had power, and goals. He could score from anywhere.

“I think it's one now that I've retired, I look back on it and you think, I've played against one of the best in the world. I think that that's a brilliant thing. And for him to still be playing at the age that he is, it's just testament to him and how he's looked after himself. What an incredible player.”

Ronaldo continues to defy sporting and physical logic, as he chases down more entries in the history books. He is determined to reach 1,000 career goals and is not expected to hang up his boots until eternal rival Lionel Messi - who is now in MLS with Inter Miami - has done likewise.