Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has finally broken his silence on rumours of his possible retirement and transition to a coaching career, following in the footsteps of his compatriot Pepe. The speculations arose after footage of Ronaldo seemingly playing the role of an assistant coach during an Al Nassr training session circulated online.
In a recent interview, Ronaldo spoke about his future in football: “I still have a lot to offer on the pitch, but of course I am thinking about my future. The idea of being a coach is not new to me, and who knows what the future holds?”
The rumours intensified after Ronaldo was seen on the sidelines during Al Nassr’s 3-0 defeat to Spanish second division club Almeria. The Portuguese star did not play a single minute of the game, leading many to believe he was preparing for a new role in the coaching staff.
“I have always been a leader on and off the pitch. It is natural that at some point I will start to consider a more active role in mentoring new talent,” Ronaldo said, without directly confirming the rumors, but also without dismissing them.
The match against Almería, in which stars such as Sadio Mané and Marcelo Brozović played, ended in disappointing fashion for Al Nassr. Ronaldo, who was on the bench, was seen chatting to coach Luis Castro and appearing very involved in the team’s strategic decisions, further fuelling speculation.
Despite doubts about his fitness and his absence from the pitch, Ronaldo has been working hard on his fitness to regain his rhythm and be ready for the challenges ahead. The star, who recently returned to the club after an extended break due to his participation in Euro 2024, made it clear that his priority remains to help Al Nassr achieve their goals this season.
However, the prospect of Ronaldo becoming a coach, especially after retirement, is something that excites fans and pundits alike. “It would be a great privilege to continue contributing to football in a different way. But for now, my focus is on the game,” Ronaldo concluded, leaving the door open to what could be one of the most exciting career transitions in world sport.
