'I’ll Say When it’s Finished!': What is Cristiano Ronaldo Closer to? Retirement or Return to Europe?

Cristiano Ronaldo, the 38-year-old Portuguese superstar who has defined a prolonged period in international and club football, picked up three different awards at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.

The question that has lingered in the minds of the fans of the player has been, ‘For how much longer will the Portuguese superstar continue to ply his trade?’

Ronaldo seemed to have drawn the curtains on his time in Europe when he decided to move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr following his public outburst against former club Manchester United right before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which well and truly sealed his fate away from the Manchester club.

“I am fortunate that I have won everything I set out to win in European football. I feel now that this is the right moment to share my experience in Asia,” Ronaldo said ahead of his move to Al Nassr, early in 2023.

Ronaldo has rather settled in well at the Middle Eastern nation, even notching up a year-high 54 goals in the calendar year- a fact that he pointed out during the gala and expressed his body felt good enough to go on.

“I was the best goalscorer. Imagine beating the young lions, like Haaland for example,” Ronaldo said at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards after picking up three awards on the night.

“I’m 39 soon and I’m still looking good, so I’m proud,” the Al Nassr player said.

Former Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia opined that Ronaldo might yet have a move to a European club left before he decides to hang up his boots, back in January of last year.

“Ronaldo is a positive addition, as he helps to disperse defenders. He is one of the best players in the world. He will not finish his career at Al-Nassr, he will return to Europe,” Garcia said.

Ronaldo has done well in the Saudi Pro League since his arrival and notched up the most number of goals from January to December of last year and took to social media to express his delight with the way he has held up despite his age.

A couple of weeks ago he took to social media platform Instagram to share a post that read “54 – I’ll say when it’s finished! Thanks, team! ” highlighting his achievement in the year 2023.

A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)

Speaking on the subject of his retirement back in October of last year, Ronaldo said, “Things have happened in my life, both on a personal and professional level, that make me think more in the short term nowadays.”

“People say I’m going to play on until I’m 40 or 41 years old. I don’t set these targets.”

“It’s a question of just enjoying the moment, which is a good moment.”

“I feel good. My body is responding to how I’ve treated it over the years. I’m happy both at my club and in the Selecao. I’ve scored plenty of goals, and I feel in good shape physically. It’s a question of enjoying the moment.”

For all the speculation and hearsay, only time will tell if Ronaldo will move back to Europe for one final hurrah before he decides to hang up his boots.