I wouldn’t be surprised if Cristiano Ronaldo RETIRES, says ex-Man Utd team-mate Patrice Evra, as star searches for club
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been tipped to RETIRE from football by old Manchester United pal Patrice Evra.
That’s after seeing his “dream” of winning the World Cup with Portugal come to a cruel end.
Ronaldo, 37, went into Qatar 2022 with high hopes after having his United contract terminated.
The veteran striker was eager to lead Portugal to glory in a bid to secure a new deal with a Champions League club.
But Ronaldo’s vision faded after being axed by Fernando Santos for Portugal’s final two games.
And he left the pitch in tears after being shown the exit in the quarter-finals by Morocco.
Ronaldo, who trained at old side Real Madrid earlier this week, is yet to receive any lucrative offers to remain in Europe.
Indeed, the only concrete contract he’s received is from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Linked clubs including Chelsea and Bayern Munich continue to distance themselves from Ronaldo.
And even his international future remains unclear after long-time supporter Santos was sacked by Portugal’s FA.
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Former United team-mate Evra now reckons Ronaldo could opt for retirement.
The Frenchman claims Ronnie has little left to play for after his World Cup dream went down in flames.
And with no top offers on the table, it would “not surprise” Evra if Ronaldo decided to call it a day.
Evra told Sky Sports: “When I have talked to him I haven’t spoken about what he is going to do next.
“We have been talking more about life and family, but I don’t know. Messi is saying he will retire [from the World Cup] but I don’t know if Ronaldo will.
“Sometimes, when you are getting so much criticism, especially at the end of your career, you are like ‘OK, I think it’s time to stop’.
“That must be a feeling, especially when you are not in the starting XI of your national team, because that is what Cristiano wanted: to play, be fit and win the World Cup with his country.
“This was his dream; now he doesn’t have that dream. Although I won’t talk for Cristiano, I wouldn’t be surprised if he says he is retiring.
“Now everything Cristiano does he is a ‘bad person’, a ‘bad player’ or whatever. I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to retire.”