Cristiano Ronaldo wins another trophy: how much longer will Portuguese play on?

The 40-year-old led his national side to victory over Spain in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday to claim yet another prize in a stellar career approaching its finale

Cristiano Ronaldo could not bare to watch. So often, the Portuguese has been the one to dispatch the decisive penalty in a shootout, but this time he was already off the pitch and covered his eyes on the sidelines as Rúben Neves prepared to take the kick. Moments later, he was clenching his fists, looking to the sky in celebration and visibly emotional. Then he lifted the trophy. Another trophy. Over the years, there have been so many for club and country.

But how many more? At 40 years of age, Ronaldo admits himself that he is nearing the end of a glittering career and Sunday’s UEFA Nations League final win over Spain seems likely to be his last major honour as a Portugal player, having helped his nation to a first-ever trophy at Euro 2016 and captained the team to victory in the inaugural Nations League in 2019.

Far from his brilliant best at Euro 2024, Cristiano contributed significantly to this triumph, netting eight goals overall in the UEFA Nations League including the equaliser in Sunday’s final as Portugal held Spain to a 2-2 draw in Munich before defeating the defending European champions on penalties at the Allianz Arena.

Ronaldo’s goal in the final was his 138th in 221 appearances for Portugal and the 938th of his career for club and country. Of those, 99 have come at Al-Nassr and after his contract with the Saudi Pro League side came to an end, the Portuguese wrote on social media: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”

That cryptic post seemed to suggest the 40-year-old would be looking for a new club ahead of next season and FIFA president Gianni Infantino said “there are discussions” over Ronaldo playing at the Club World Cup this summer, although the former Real Madrid and Manchester United has since revealed he will not take part. Meanwhile, Brazilian giants Botafogo have also been linked with a move for the Portuguese superstar.

But Ronaldo now seems set to sign a new two-year contract with Al-Nassr, with a strong recruitment drive thought to be one of the conditions for prolonging his stay with the Saudi club, where he has won just an Arab Club Champions Cup so far. After Sunday’s game, he said: “Future? Nothing will change. Al-Nassr? Yes.”

Ronaldo scored 35 goals for Al-Nassr last season and if he can continue at that rate, the Portuguese will reach the magical figure of 1,000 strikes, which both Pelé and Romário claimed to have achieved in their careers – albeit with many of those netted in unofficial fixtures.

Once described by former Real Madrid team-mate Danilo as “a numbers guy”, Ronaldo’s retirement seems unlikely until he has hit the 1,000-goal mark. So expect two more years of the Portuguese superstar and perhaps an international swansong after next summer’s World Cup.