Cristiano Ronaldo has offered the clearest hint yet over when he will retire from football, his national team manager Roberto Martinez says.
Martinez has managed Portugal since the conclusion of 2022 World Cup, having parted company with Belgium following their surprise group stage elimination at the tournament.
The Spaniard, who managed Wigan, Everton and Swansea in English football, was present at Old Trafford on Boxing Day to watch Ronaldo's international team-mate Bruno Fernandes in action for Manchester United, as part of the Amazon Prime coverage.
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Speaking ahead of that match in an interview with ex-Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg, Martinez explained what Ronaldo told him about his retirement from football.
He said: "When I took over, he was very close to the 200 international caps, something that nobody has done before.
"I had a conversation with him. It was a private conversation, but I can disclose one thing that he said.
"I asked, 'Does having 200 caps interest you or not?' He said, '250 interests me'."
Ronaldo is now on 205 caps for Portugal, with that tally and his 128 goals both being the highest ever recorded by a men's international footballer.
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The 38-year-old is set to represent his country at next summer's Euro 2024, which could see Ronaldo play up to seven matches.
When taking into account qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, as well as friendlies and Nations League matches, Ronaldo would have to continue playing for Portugal beyond 2026 in order to reach 250 caps for his nation.
The Al Nassr star would be 41 years of age by then, with his Saudi Pro League contract due to expire in the previous summer.
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In October, various reports claimed that Ronaldo had indicated his desire to stay at Al Nassr until 2027, which could be the window in which he reaches his 250th cap for Portugal if he is still playing for the national team by then.
It looks like we've still got a few more years left of the footballing icon before he does call time on a legendary career.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Saudi Pro League, Portugal
