What Cristiano #Ronaldo said when asked to retire at the same time as Lionel #Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to continue playing at the highest level for the next three years and still has no retirement plans.
The striker told the Portuguese radio station TV1 last week that he could play until he was 40, but he also said: “Maybe I can leave my career next year.”
The Juventus talisman sat next to longtime sports rival Lionel Messi on Thursday for the 2019/20 Champions League draw.
The couple, both nominated for the UEFA Player of the Year, were interviewed before Virgil van Dijk took the prize home.
In the interest of football romanticism, Ronaldo was asked if he and Messi could retire at the same time.
What Cristiano Ronaldo said when asked to retire at the same time as Lionel Messi (getty image)
“He is two years younger than me,” replied the 34-year-old man.
“I think I look good for my age! I hope to be here next year, and in two years and three years.
“Then, people who don’t love me, are going to see me here.”
The mission statement of the five-time Golden Ball winner suggests that he will continue to play for a Champions League club for years to come.
He changed from Real Madrid to Juventus last summer, but was eliminated from the Champions League last season in the quarter-final stage.
However, Ronaldo scored six goals in the competition that pushed him into the race for the Striker of the year.
Messi took home that award in Monaco on Thursday night, but Ronaldo is eager to get it back, starting with the group stage.
Juventus faced Atlético de Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Lokomotiv Moscow in the draw.
Meanwhile, Messi’s Barcelona joined the death group along with Borussia Dortmund, Inter of Milan and Slavia of Prague.