Cristiano Ronaldo has struggled for Manchester United in recent weeks, and Ze Roberto believes the five-time Ballon d'Or winner may be nearing the end of his career.
Ze Roberto, a former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid star, has claimed that he believes Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo will retire in the coming seasons.
Ronaldo departed Juventus in the summer transfer window to complete a spectacular return to Old Trafford.
However, following a strong start to his second term, the former Real Madrid striker has only scored once in his past 10 games for Ralf Rangnick's team.
And, according to Roberto, Ronaldo's football career may be approaching a fork in the road.
And, according to Roberto, Ronaldo's football career may be approaching a fork in the road.
In his last ten games, Ronaldo has only scored one goal.
In his last ten games, Ronaldo has only scored one goal.
"For me, Cristiano is a machine," Ze Roberto told Sky Sports News.
"However, I don't think he'll still be playing at 40 since he's a guy who has always competed at the greatest level, collecting championships and striving to be the best player on the planet."
"However, we have seen in the last two years that he has been unable to do so with Juventus and now Manchester United."
"The strongest indication of that is that he has never finished in the top two or three players for the major individual prizes."
"He's still a high-priced athlete, but as someone who has become accustomed to competing at such a high level, there will come a moment when he decides it's better to stop than look for something that won't be the same."
Roberto's 23-year career came to an end in 2017, when he played his final match for Brazilian giants Palmeiras at the age of 42.
Ze Roberto, who was 42 years old when he retired,
Ronaldo, on the other hand, has claimed that he intends to continue playing football until he is well into his 40s.
Throughout his football career, the five-time Champions League winner has been praised for his rigorous attention to fitness, lifestyle, food, and rehabilitation.
While many players retire by the age of 37, Ronaldo is still captaining United thirteen years after leaving for Real Madrid for a then-record-breaking £80 million.
Ronaldo struggled to make an impact in United's 0-0 draw with Watford at Old Trafford.
This season, Ronaldo has 15 goals and three assists in 31 appearances for the Reds in all competitions, but this is unlikely to meet Ronaldo's high standards and demands.
"I know there aren't many years left before I quit playing, ideally four or five more," Ronaldo remarked recently in an interview with DAZN, as reported by Marca. "My life has been a wonderful adventure. Everywhere I've gone, I've left my imprint.
"I don't believe there has ever been a player in history who can reach, well, the numbers he can reach, but who can have the pride of saying, 'Wherever I've been, I've made my mark.'" That makes me really delighted.
"You have to be smart and state that being eight [years old], twenty or twenty-five, or thirty-five is not the same as being eight [years old].
"That takes age, experience, and the intelligence to recognize that you may lose some things, but you gain others, and you must strike the appropriate balance to be able to compete and perform at the top level."
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