Cristiano Ronaldo tipped to retire 'when Lionel Messi stops' as 40-year-old Portuguese GOAT is sent tarnishing his 'legacy' warning

While the goals are flowing at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, evergreen frontman Ronaldo has now reached 40 years of age. He continues to make himself available for club and country, with another quest for Nations League glory being taken in with Portugal.

CR7 is expected to play on towards the 2026 World Cup, with there a desire on his part to reach 1,000 career goals before considering retirement. He has, however, been told that he is not the player he once was and should walk away once eternal rival Messi decides that he will be hanging up record-breaking boots.

That is the opinion of former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, with the ex-Netherlands international telling Gambling Zone: "Football doesn't need Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo has been one of the best players for a long time; one of the best players in history. I think, at the moment, he’s doing himself more harm than good to be playing for Portugal still – it’s impacting his legacy.

"And if you ask me, Messi or Ronaldo, I will always say Ronaldo because of what he had to do to get to that level and to stay there.

"We all know as footballers, and I know this really, really well from my playing time, there's a time when you come and there's a time where you need to go. I think his time had come a while ago, and he needs to give somebody else the opportunity.

"I don't think that he is at the moment better than the other options that Portugal have. Some games you need to press, some games you need to do different things, and I don't think that he can do that anymore. There’s no shame in that. For him to even be playing at 40 is a landmark in itself.

"There comes a time when you have to hang the boots up. I think that time will come when Messi stops. I think when Messi decides to call it a day, so will Ronaldo."

Ronaldo is up to 218 caps for Portugal, with 135 goals being recorded along the way. He retains unwavering belief in his own ability, while always demanding the highest of standards, and sees no reason to call it a day while still being capable of making a positive contribution in domestic and international competition.