Cristiano Ronaldo ‘needs a best mate’ to tell him to retire – with Portuguese superstar warned against fading out with ‘six goals in the Saudi League’

At 39 years of age, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is offering no suggestion that the most distinguished of boots will be hung up any time soon. He remains part of the Portugal international set-up, with 214 caps to his name, and is expected to play on towards the 2026 World Cup.

At club level, Ronaldo found the target on 50 occasions for Al-Nassr last season and has already been back among the goals in the current campaign. His contract in the Middle East is, however, due to expire at the end of the season and no extension has been agreed as yet.

Former Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson believes somebody should be advising the all-time great to call it a day before becoming a fading force, with the ex-Republic of Ireland international telling Paddy Power: “Cristiano Ronaldo is still scoring in Saudi Arabia, but would he sign a new contract there? I’m not sure. This is when I think he needs a best mate who says, ‘you’ve had an unbelievable run, and maybe at the end of this season, just hang your boots up and let people remember you for what you’ve done’. He doesn’t want to go through half a season where he scores something like six goals in the Saudi league.”

There is no sign of Ronaldo slowing down, or his relentless ambition easing off. Until the day comes that he loses that drive to be the best, he should be expected to continue – with the evergreen frontman already stating his desire to reach 1,000 career goals after recently passing the 900 mark.