Cristiano Ronaldo hints at retirement as World Cup approaches

New Delhi: Cristiano Ronaldo plans to retire form football "soon” and will "probably will cry” when he games up his boots.

The 40-year-old has netted 952 goals in his illustrious career so far and targets reaching the 1000-goal mark before retirement.

The Portugal forward wants to play at next year’s FIFA World Cup, hoping to win the one major trophy that is left for him to win, though he claimed it "is not a dream for me”.

"Winning one tournament doesn’t prove you’re one of the greatest players in history. It’s just six or seven matches — that’s not fair,” he said on Piers Morgan Uncensored.

Asked about his future plans, Ronaldo, who has a contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr until 2027, replied: "Soon. But I think I will be prepared.

"It will be tough, of course. It will be difficult? Yes. Probably (I) will cry, yes… I’m (an) open person. (It) will be very, very difficult, yes.

"But Piers, I prepare my future since (the age of) 25, 26, 27 years old, I prepare (for) my future. So I think I will be capable to support that pressure.”

Ronaldo had two stints at Manchester United and still closely follows their results as they navigate turbulent times under his former Portugal team-mate Ruben Amorim.

"Manchester United is still in my heart. I love that club. But we have all to be honest and look for ourselves and say, ‘Listen, they are not in a good path’. So, they need to change and it’s not only about the coach and players, in my opinion,” he said.

Ronaldo warned United fans not to expect "miracles" but said Amorim is trying his best to make them competitive.

"He’s doing his best. What are you going to do? Miracles. Miracles is impossible," five-time Ballon d’Or winner said.

"We say in Portugal, ‘Miracles is only in Fatima’… And he’s not going to do miracles. They have good players but they don’t have, some of them, in mind what Manchester United is."