Manchester United hero and all-time great Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to consider retiring by former France and Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf.
Ronaldo is regarded as one of the best players in history, having scored a staggering 689 career goals in 926 games and winning the Ballon d’Or award five times.
During his 20-year professional career, Ronaldo has won titles in England, Spain and Italy, while he is a five-time Champions League winner.
Ronaldo has contributed for Manchester United since returning to Old Trafford last summer – scoring 15 goals in 29 matches – but his best years are certainly behind him and Leboeuf believes he is at the stage of his career where he should be considering retirement.
The World Cup and European Championship winner told ESPN FC: ‘Do you know what? I think there is a time where you have to think, “what do I do with my life and my career?”
‘And maybe it’s time for Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of his career to wonder and have a discussion with himself, and maybe some of his family, to know what he has to do for the rest of his career, if there is a future in his career.
‘I don’t want to watch Ronaldo and have pity because he’s been on the top for so many years.
‘I don’t want him to be a normal player. He’s been an exceptional player for so long.
‘I’d prefer him to give up his career at the top instead of maybe trying and play for two or three more years and not being the player that he used to be.’
Ronaldo, 37, cut a frustrated figure during Manchester United’s last-16 first leg draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
But United still have a fair chance of progressing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after Anthony Elanga’s late equaliser cancelled out Joao Felix’s early header.
Following the 1-1 draw, Ronaldo said on social media: ‘Always a great feeling to be back in Madrid, one of the few cities in the world that I‘ve learned to call home.
‘Great feelings, great players, great game, this is the Champions League! The mother of all club competitions.
‘Now we have the opportunity to close this for us in our stadium, showing everybody why Old Trafford is and will always be the Theatre of Dreams.
‘Last but not least, thanks to our amazing supporters. Your presence make us stronger, and together we will go forward!’
Credit: Mirror
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