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Cristiano Ronaldo Drops Shock Retirement Claim Ahead Of New Season With Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo Drops Shock Retirement Claim Ahead Of New Season With Juventus

"I don't think there are any footballers who have more records than me," says ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Cristiano Ronaldo has dropped a bombshell that he could potentially retire from professional football as early as next year.

The Juventus superstar, 34, left Real Madrid last summer and enjoyed a superb debut season in Italy's top-tier domestic league.

While Ronaldo hinted that he could continue to play football into his 40s, he made a shocking claim that he could head for early retirement in 2020.

"I don't think about that," Ronaldo told Portuguese channel TVI.

"Maybe I can leave my career next year... but I can also play up to 40 or 41.

"I don't know. What I always say is to enjoy the moment.

"The gift is excellent and I have to continue to enjoy it."

The Portugal captain continued to add to his trophy haul last season as Juventus captured the Serie A title and the Italian Super Cup.

And he added to his international honours this summer as he captained his side to victory in the Nations League final against the Netherlands.

PA
PA

Ronaldo wasn't shy to hide the fact that his illustrious playing career is filled with many impressive records.

He said: "Are there any soccer players who have more records than me?

"I don't think there are any footballers who have more records than me."

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star made 43 appearances across all competitions and scored an impressive 28 times and assisted ten times.

PA

Juventus teammate Sami Khedira praised Ronaldo's reputation in football with other sports stars, along with comparing him to legendary Italian Gianluigi Buffon.

"Ronaldo is an example for all sportsmen, like LeBron James in basketball or Tom Brady in American football," the 32-year-old midfielder told German magazine Kicker.

"Or like [Gianluigi] Buffon. When the boys see Gigi pushing weights for 45 minutes, at 41, they understand his love for this sport and can only think, 'I can do it, too.'

"Older players are a great motivator for the younger ones."

Ronaldo, who has been nominated for the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award alongside Lionel Messi and Virgil van Dijk, recently revealed that his son Cristiano Jr was shocked at the conditions he lived in when he was a teenager in Lisbon.

Juventus will kick off their title defence on Saturday against Parma.

Should Ronaldo retire next season?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Los Blancos, Football News, Football, Manchester United, Serie A, red devils, Premier League, old lady, Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, La Liga