Cristiano Ronaldo is still scoring goals and breaking records, but some believe it's time for the football legend to hang up his boots.
At 39 years old, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down, but former Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson thinks someone close to him should suggest it's time to call it quits.
Ronaldo, who scored 50 goals for Al-Nassr last season, continues to impress, with fans expecting him to play in the 2026 World Cup. Yet, Lawrenson believes that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner risks fading out if he stays too long.
He recently said, “Ronaldo is still scoring in Saudi Arabia, but does he want to stay there? He needs a best mate to tell him, ‘You’ve had an unbelievable run, maybe it’s time to let people remember you for what you’ve done.’”
MORE: All the latest soccer action | Cristiano Ronaldo news
Is Cristiano Ronaldo slowing down?
Despite the concerns, Ronaldo isn’t ready to stop. He’s made it clear that he aims to hit 1,000 career goals, having recently surpassed 900.
For fans, it’s hard to imagine Ronaldo leaving the game, especially when he still looks sharp on the pitch. But as Lawrenson points out, no one wants to see the legend fade with just “six goals in the Saudi league.”
"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’." said Lawrenson.
Cristiano’s unmatched work ethic has kept him at the top for so long, and while some believe it's time for retirement, his desire to break more records keeps him going. Whether or not his “best mate” steps in, Ronaldo will decide his own fate – and for now, it seems like he's not ready to leave the stage.
As the Portuguese superstar prepares for the rest of the season, fans will be watching closely. Could this be the final chapter of his legendary career, or will Ronaldo keep proving the doubters wrong? Only time will tell!
