Cristiano Ronaldo’s Future: Strikes, Records, and World Cup Aspirations

omidbasir- Cristiano Ronaldo is currently making headlines for less favorable reasons, as he has gone on strike at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr. He has not participated in their last two matches, leading to speculation that his extraordinarily lucrative contract—reportedly the richest in the sport—may be broken in the summer, with a potential release clause in play.

Despite these issues, there is no indication that Ronaldo plans to retire soon. Rumors are circulating about a possible return to Europe or a move to join his longtime rival, Lionel Messi, in Major League Soccer (MLS). Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos believes that Ronaldo can continue playing for several more years, as he shows no signs of physical decline.

In an interview with O Jogo, Carlos reflected on Ronaldo’s impactful career at Santiago Bernabeu, stating, “Cristiano can’t stop, ever. If he ever decides to stop playing, I’ll call him and tell him not to stop. He’s one of those players who represent a lot, both for clubs and for the national team, for children, for younger players. He should never stop playing football, even if it’s just with one leg or crawling. He transmits a lot of strength and energy to any boy who wants to start.”

Ronaldo has ambitious goals as he approaches the latter stages of his career, aiming to score 1,000 competitive goals before contemplating retirement. When asked if he believes Ronaldo can reach this milestone, Carlos remarked, “For those who love Cristiano and football, seeing him continue to make history and break records is wonderful. The only player to have scored 1,000 goals was Pelé, but Cristiano could join that exclusive list. I see him happy and confident in the Saudi league. I’m absolutely certain he’ll reach that milestone. He never gets injured. He continues to play well, and he’s a role model for Portugal.”

As Ronaldo sets his sights on competing in a sixth World Cup finals, Portugal is viewed as one of the favorites to clinch the title. Carlos expressed excitement over the possibility of a final match between Brazil and Portugal, stating, “It would be beautiful, without a doubt. It has never happened, but there’s always a first time, and hopefully it will.”

Regarding Portugal, Carlos noted, “They are a team that can beat anyone, as has happened in recent years. They have a key player in Cristiano Ronaldo, a strong midfield, and an excellent coach. Now they just need to work hard and have a bit of luck, which is always necessary to win the World Cup. The Portuguese team is currently more confident than Brazil, which recently changed coaches. They are among the favorites, as always, although they have never won.”

Brazil, under new head coach Carlo Ancelotti, is also eager to secure their first global title since the days of Carlos. When asked if Ancelotti can meet expectations, Carlos replied, “One thing he did was make the players think of themselves as a family. He reorganized the team a bit and will try to do their best at the World Cup. Individually, the Brazilian team has great players, but in 2002 we managed to combine the quality of the group with that family feeling. We focused on playing well and pleasing the fans. If that happens again, I’m sure it will be easier with Ancelotti.”

Ancelotti is yet to confirm whether Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, will be included in his World Cup plans as the 34-year-old recovers from yet another injury. Meanwhile, Ronaldo is poised to participate in FIFA’s flagship event, but it remains uncertain where he will be competing in club football beyond the tournament.