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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>All-time great is still going strong at 40</li><li>Intends to reach 1,000 career goals</li><li>Argentine icon Messi also nearing the end</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Cristiano Ronaldo tipped to retire 'when Lionel Messi stops' as 40-year-old Portuguese GOAT is sent tarnishing his 'legacy' warning

Saudi Pro League

Damac FC

Al Nassr FC

<p>While the goals are flowing at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-declares-himself-goat-ahead-lionel-messi-diego-maradona-pele-al-nassr-critics-lying/blt9887b0464a57622c" target="_blank">evergreen frontman Ronaldo has now reached 40 years of age</a>. He continues to make himself available for club and country, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-defiant-message-portugal-nations-league-defeat-denmark-cr7-trophy-bid/blt55c6b8b0a36bd522" target="_blank">another quest for Nations League glory being taken in with Portugal.</a></p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>CR7 is expected to play on towards the 2026 World Cup, with there a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-final-career-goals-man-utd-coach-cr7-objectives-lebron-james-target-involving-portuguese-goat-son/blt9b4b88b27269a562" target="_blank">desire on his part to reach 1,000 career goals</a> before considering retirement. He has, however, been told that he is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/anybody-tell-stat-padding-goat-cristiano-ronaldo-not-taking-him-al-nassr-superstar-set-own-end-date-portugal/bltd15334e56ee7637d" target="_blank">not the player he once was</a> and should walk away once <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/many-years-left-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-rivalry-former-usmnt-stars-alexi-lalas-stuart-holden-explain-why-goat-battle-continue-2026-world-cup/bltda9538095c917571" target="_blank">eternal rival Messi decides that he will be hanging up record-breaking boots</a>.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>That is the opinion of former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, with the ex-Netherlands international telling <em>Gambling Zone</em>: "Football doesn't need Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo has been one of the best players for a long time; one of the best players in history. I think, at the moment, he’s doing himself more harm than good to be playing for Portugal still – it’s impacting his legacy.</p><p>"And if you ask me, Messi or Ronaldo, I will always say Ronaldo because of what he had to do to get to that level and to stay there.</p><p>"We all know as footballers, and I know this really, really well from my playing time, there's a time when you come and there's a time where you need to go. I think his time had come a while ago, and he needs to give somebody else the opportunity.</p><p>"I don't think that he is at the moment better than the other options that Portugal have. Some games you need to press, some games you need to do different things, and I don't think that he can do that anymore. There’s no shame in that. For him to even be playing at 40 is a landmark in itself.</p><p>"There comes a time when you have to hang the boots up. I think that time will come when Messi stops. I think when Messi decides to call it a day, so will Ronaldo."</p>

WHAT JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBAINK SAID

<p>Ronaldo is up to 218 caps for Portugal, with 135 goals being recorded along the way. He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-big-ego-greatest-role-model-football-history-world-cup-winning-midfielder-explains-huge-respect-al-nassr-superstar/bltba5fc38e02fd6a0d" target="_blank">retains unwavering belief in his own ability</a>, while always demanding the highest of standards, and sees no reason to call it a day <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/still-very-good-cristiano-ronaldo-year-or-two-future-admission-al-nassr-superstar-play-on-into-40s/blt389715975465574d" target="_blank">while still being capable of making a positive contribution</a> in domestic and international competition.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

Cristiano Ronaldo tipped to retire 'when Lionel Messi stops' as 40-year-old Portuguese GOAT is sent tarnishing his 'legacy' warning | Goal.com

Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped to retire &quot;when Lionel Messi stops&quot;, with the 40-year-old Portuguese GOAT told he is now tarnishing his &quot;legacy&quot;.

Cristiano Ronaldo tipped to retire &apos;when Lionel Messi stops&apos; as 40-year-old Portuguese GOAT is sent tarnishing his &apos;legacy&apos; warning

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