I’m not bothered about keeping my trophies… I’m preparing for death, says Ronnie O’Sullivan
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has revealed he doesn’t keep any of his trophies as he is “preparing for death”.
The snooker legend made the shocking admission after clinching a fifth Shanghai Masters title.
O’Sullivan, 47, defeated Luca Brecel 11-9 in the final.
And post-match, The Rocket said his trophy will not be staying in his hands long.
O’Sullivan revealed: “I’m giving the trophy to my friend who is opening a club here in China.
“I always give them away. My mate Paul’s got one, I gave one to a kid in the crowd.
“I don’t want any memorabilia left by the time I’m 70 or 80.
“I’m preparing for death – part of that is I don’t want snooker stuff – waistcoats, cues, it’s all going to go.”
It means O’Sullivan has had plenty of work to do over the years in shifting the unwanted silverware as he has seven Masters accolades to his name and a record seven World Championships.
He also has the most ranking titles with 39.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
O’Sullivan might not be interested in lifting gongs, but he said on Instagram: “To win my fifth Shanghai Masters is something I’m really proud of.
“And to have won playing such a talented player in Luca, means a lot.
“Thank you to all fans and everyone out here for your support, it doesn’t go unnoticed.”
O’Sullivan burst onto the scene at the UK Championships in 1993 going on to win the competition aged just 17 years and 358 days.
And he then clinched his first Masters soon after his 19th birthday as he became the youngest ever player to win both events.
He has made a record 31 appearances at the World Champs and became it’s oldest ever winner in 2022 when he beat Judd Trump in the final aged 46 and 148 days.
The win saw him equal Stephen Hendry with both now seven-time world champions.
It led to The Rocket breaking down in tears as the magnitude of his success hit him.
Despite it being arguably the biggest moment of his career, O’Sullivan later admitted he wish he had never won the title.
He told The Climb Podcast: “After looking back on it, I actually wish I hadn’t have won it.
“All of a sudden when I’ve won this, I’ve got 600 messages on my phone, everyone’s saying well done and asking when I’m going for the eighth.
“It’s like my worst nightmare come true again.”
O’Sullivan’s life has had as many ups as downs, a turbulent upbringing saw his father jailed for murder and his mother sent to prison for tax fraud.
The world No1 has suffered with bouts of clinical depression and overcome drug issues and mood swings.
It led to him taking a break from snooker during the 2012/13 season and he worked on a farm for several weeks to keep himself busy.
The outspoken star has heavily criticised the sport, famously slamming up and coming stars when he claimed he would have to “lose an arm and a leg to fall out of the top 50.”
He has three children, Taylor-Ann Magnus, 27, who came from a two year relationship with Sally Magnus.
The estranged Taylor-Ann has since had a daughter of her own and won’t let the snooker hero ever meet her.
O’Sullivan then had two kids Lily, 17, and Ronnie Jr, 16, with Jo Langley.
He met current long-term girlfriend and actress Laila Rouass in 2012 and the pair have been together since despite splitting for a brief period last year.
O’Sullivan now lives in Essex with Lalia.