Former Chelsea star Adrian Mutu has revealed the reason behind Cristiano Ronaldo's apparent refusal to retire.
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Mutu claims Ronaldo has one goal in mindEliminated from Euro 2024 with PortugalEndured atrocious tournamentWHAT HAPPENED?
Ronaldo endured a dismal Euro 2024 with Portugal, failing to score a single goal at the tournament, but playing all 120 minutes against France as his side were eliminated on penalties. The Al-Nassr star was regularly the centre of attention, missing a penalty against Slovenia – before scoring in the shootout – and bursting into tears.
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The performances have led some to speculate that Ronaldo may choose to retire, but Mutu insists that is not the case. Indeed, he believes that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid ace is desperate to play alongside his son, Cristiano Jr, before he retires. Ronaldo Jr. is just 14, but it is conceivable that, within the next three years, the pair could share a pitch for Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Indeed, Mutu visited Ronaldo and his son in the country earlier this year.
WHAT MUTU SAID
Mutu told iAM SPORT in Romania, via the Daily Mail: "That's his real motivation. The fact he wants to play an official match with his boy and that's why he doesn't give up.
"Well, at Al Nassr, it's possible. If he was at another team, I don't know, Real Madrid, it would be more difficult.
"But to play a half (together), in a year, I don't think it's impossible."
GettyWHAT NEXT?
Ronaldo will have to watch the remainder of Euro 2024 from his sofa and then he will begin preparations for the 2024/25 season, as he seeks his first trophy for Al-Nassr.