Cristiano Ronaldo turns 38: Retirement plan as Al-Nassr make U-turn and pal backs Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo is celebrating his 38th birthday today following a tumultuous 12 months on and off the pitch. The veteran is one of the greatest footballers in the history of the game and has won a whole host of trophies throughout his illustrious career.

Ronaldo first entered the limelight after joining Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United as an 18-year-old in 2003. He won three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup during his first stint at Old Trafford, while also getting his hands on the first of his five Ballon d’Ors

After moving to Real Madrid, the forward tasted even more success at the highest level and racked up the goals to help the club win title after title over a nine-year period. And following a three-year stint with Juventus, the ace signed for United for a second time in the summer of 2021.

Ronaldo scored 24 goals during his maiden campaign back at Old Trafford. But things turned sour this season and he had his Red Devils contract terminated last November after telling Piers Morgan he “felt betrayed” by the club. The player signed for Al-Nassr at the end of last year but has struggled to find his form in Saudi Arabia. So what does the future have in store for the Portugal international?

Ronaldo has scored just one goal in three appearances for Al-Nassr and appears to be struggling to hit the heights of previous years. But ahead of his move to the Middle East, the striker told Morgan that he wanted to play football until he was 40 years old.