When one star speaks to another, the world listens. Roberto Carlos, Real Madrid legend (1996-2007), asked another club icon, Cristiano Ronaldo, not to retire.
The Portuguese player just celebrated his 41st birthday on February 5, but he has shown no signs of wanting to hang up his boots. However, the day he decides to do so, he should know that he will receive a phone call urging him not to.
Carlos warns CR7 that he will take action
Cristiano has recently caused controversy with his strike at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Professional League against the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and his absence from two of the team’s matches against Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad.
CR7’s anger and dissatisfaction with the transfer policy of the Saudi Arabian Sovereign Wealth Fund (owner of Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad) has resonated strongly in the world of soccer, as he believes it harms his own club while benefiting others. He also included in his protest the delay in the payment of salaries to several employees and collaborators of the Saudi club.
However, after the corresponding payments were made, according to “A Bola,” Cristiano Ronaldo “won the battle against Saudi Arabia” and will return to play with Al Nassr in the match against Al Fateh on Saturday, February 14.
However, beyond demonstrating his leadership and determination with his protest, at 41 years old and with a successful career in which he seeks to continue adding records and titles, the Portuguese star has shown that he does not want to end his sporting career.
Despite this, the day he decides to do so, the former Brazilian soccer player and prominent figure at the Merengue club has revealed that he will call him, because in Roberto Carlos’s view, CR7 should not rush to hang up his boots.
“Cristiano can’t stop, ever. If he ever decides to stop playing, I’ll call him and tell him not to stop,” said the 2002 World Cup winner in ‘O Jogo’.
“He’s one of those players who represent a lot, both for clubs and for the national team, for children, for younger players. He should never stop playing soccer, even if it’s just with one leg or crawling. He transmits a lot of strength and energy to any boy who wants to start,” he added (via GOAL).
Carlos and CR7 did not share their time at Real Madrid. The Brazilian star played alongside Raúl, Ronaldo Nazario, David Beckham, and Zinedine Zidane, winning titles such as three European Cups and four Leagues. However, when the Portuguese arrived in 2009, Roberto had already left the team.
Meanwhile, Cristiano has big plans for the future. Not only is he looking for his first title with Al Nassr, but he is also 39 goals away from the amazing milestone of 1,000 goals in his professional career (961), being the only player in soccer history to achieve this.
In addition, he has confirmed that he will wear the colors of Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. This will be the captain’s sixth appearance in the tournament, making him the only player to have played this many times. (Lionel Messi could join him if he confirms his presence).
Portugal will be in Group K, alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the winner of the Intercontinental Playoff between Jamaica, Congo, and New Caledonia. On Wednesday, June 17, CR7 and company will play their opening match against the winner of the Intercontinental Playoff. On Tuesday, June 23, they will face Uzbekistan, and on Saturday, June 27, they will face Colombia.
Without a doubt, Cristiano Ronaldo is here to stay for a while.
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