WWhen one star speaks to another, the world listens. Real Madrid legend (1996-2007) Roberto Carlos has called on another club icon, Cristiano Ronaldo, not to retire.
The Portuguese player just celebrated his 41st birthday on February 5, but shows no signs of wanting to hang up his boots. But you should know that on the day you decide to do so, you will receive a phone call urging you to stop.
Carlos warns CR7 that he will take action.
Cristiano recently caused controversy after playing in the Saudi Pro League against Al Nasr for the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and missing the team’s two games against Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad.
CR7’s anger and dissatisfaction with the transfer policy of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund (owner of Al Nasr, Al Hilal, Al Ahly and Al Ittihad) has resonated strongly in the football world. This is because he believes it harms his club while benefiting other clubs. He included among the protests the delay in payment of salaries to several employees and collaborators of the Saudi club.
However, after the corresponding payment has been made, Cristiano Ronaldo has “won the match against Saudi Arabia” and is expected to return to action with Al Nasr on Saturday, February 14th against Al Fateh, according to A Bola.
But as well as showing leadership and determination in the protests, the Portuguese star, who at the age of 41 has had a successful career that continues to add more records and titles, has shown that he does not want to end his sporting career.
Nevertheless, in the opinion of Roberto Carlos, CR7 should not be in a hurry to hang up his boots, so the former Brazilian footballer and prominent figure of the Merengue club revealed that he will call him on the day he decides to do so.
“Cristiano can never stop. If he decides to stop playing, I’m going to call him and tell him not to stop,” the 2002 World Cup winner said in “O Jogo.”
“He is one of the many representative players, both for club and national team, for children and young players. Even if you are on one leg or crawling, you should not quit football. He transfers a lot of strength and energy to any boy who wants to take up football,” he added (via GOAL).
Carlos and CR7 did not share time at Real Madrid. The Brazilian star played alongside the likes of Lal, Ronaldo Nazario, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane, winning titles including three European Cups and four leagues. However, when the Portuguese arrived in 2009, Roberto had already left the team.
Meanwhile, Cristiano has big plans for the future. Not only is he aiming for his first title with Al Nasr, he is 39 goals away from reaching the amazing milestone of 1,000 professional goals (961 goals), the only player in football history to achieve this.
Furthermore, it has been decided that Portugal will wear Portuguese colors at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11th to July 19th. This will be the captain’s sixth appearance in this tournament, making him the only player to have participated multiple times. (Lionel Messi could join him if he acknowledges his presence).
Portugal will be in Group K with Colombia, Uzbekistan and the winners of the intercontinental play-off between Jamaica, Congo and New Caledonia. On Wednesday, June 17th, CR7 and company will play the opening game against the winners of the Intercontinental Playoffs. They will play against Uzbekistan on June 23rd (Tuesday) and Colombia on June 27th (Saturday).
Without a doubt, Cristiano Ronaldo will be here for a while.
