The truth about Cristiano Ronaldo's links with Valencia takeover revealed as Portugal superstar tipped to retire from football after 2026 World Cup

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is focused on his playing career for now, with remarkable individual standards being maintained at 40 years of age. Ronaldo is still going strong for Portugal and Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

Various options are, however, being discussed ahead of the day arriving in which CR7 has to hang up his boots for the final time. A move into coaching has been mooted, along with investment in an ambitious project that would appeal to the all-time great.

It has been suggested that the Real Madrid legend could return to Spanish football. Ronaldo is a close friend of Valencia owner Peter Lim and his son Kiat, who is now president of Los Ches. That bond has generated talk of a takeover bid being launched at Mestalla Stadium.

Marca are, however, reporting that "there’s a world to go before there are advanced talks to buy the Singaporean tycoon’s shares". For now, the Valencia discussion is based on little more than idle gossip.

Ronaldo may, however, be in a position to start planning his next move at some point in 2026, with it claimed that he could - once 1,000 career goals have been reached - head into retirement shortly after the World Cup finals in America, Canada and Mexico.