da leao: Cristiano Ronaldo may be tempted to follow the likes of Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso into management, claims former team-mate Pedro Mendes.
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All-time great is now 39 years of ageNot ready to head into retirement just yetWhat will happen after hanging up boots?GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has no need to consider the stresses of coaching as he has made enough money from a remarkable career to live out his days in luxurious comfort. Ronaldo has, however, committed his life to football and may find it difficult to sever ties with the game completely.
AdvertisementWHAT MENDES SAID
With that in mind, ex-Portugal colleague Mendes has told of seeing the all-time great swap the playing field for the dugout: “Cristiano Ronaldo is a very competitive guy with so many ideas about the game, but I have no idea if he wants to do his badges and move into coaching. But we have seen fantastic players becoming great managers like Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso so you never know.”
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ronaldo is not ready to hang up his boots just yet, with 50 goals recorded for Al-Nassr last season at 39 years of age. Mendes believes CR7 has one more challenge left in him, which could bring his career full circle. Mendes added: “I think the perfect ending will be with Sporting, where everything started. He has had an amazing career and Sporting would provide him with a romantic ending. He is one of the two best footballers of all time and to finish where it all started would be perfect.”
WHAT NEXT?
Ronaldo – who is currently on Euro 2024 duty with his country – stepped out of Sporting’s academy system and earned himself a move to Manchester United in 2003. He has gone on to star for Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr since then, breaking countless records along the way, and has hinted at prolonging his playing days through to the 2026 World Cup.