Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has given the clearest hint yet about when he will retire from football, said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.

Martinez has led the Portuguese national team since the end of the 2022 World Cup, after leaving the Belgian national team because of poor performance in Qatar. The Spanish strategist, who has led Wigan, Everton and Swansea, was at Old Trafford on Boxing Day to watch Ronaldo’s teammate Bruno Fernandes play for Man United.

 

Speaking before that match in an interview with former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg, coach Martinez explained what Ronaldo had told him about his retirement from football.

“When I took over the Portuguese national team, he was very close to the mark of 200 caps for the national team, something no one had done before. I talked to him. It was a private conversation, but I can reveal one thing he said.

“I asked, ‘Does having 200 caps for the national team interest you?’ He said, ‘It takes 250 games to interest me,'” coach Martinez said.

Ronaldo currently has 205 caps for Portugal, scoring 128 goals and both are the highest records ever recorded by an international male football player. The 38-year-old will represent his country at EURO 2024 next summer in Germany, which could see Ronaldo play up to seven matches if he reaches the final.

Taking into account the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, as well as friendlies and Nations League matches, Ronaldo will have to continue playing for Portugal beyond 2026 to reach 250 caps for the national team. At that time, the Al Nassr star will be 41 years old and his contract with the Saudi Pro League team will expire last summer.

In October, various reports suggested that Ronaldo had expressed his desire to stay at Al Nassr until 2027, which could be when he achieves his 250th cap for Portugal if the time comes. Then you can still join the team.

It seems we still have a few more years to see the legend of world football appear on the field.