Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement plan as star prepares to celebrate 40th birthday

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he is likely to call time on his career while at his current club, Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, although he is unsure when that day will come.

The Portuguese striker will celebrate his 40th birthday in February and has already exceeded many fans' expectations of how long he would continue to play professional football.

And he may have already hinted at life after football, recently launching a YouTube channel that amassed a million subscribers in 90 minutes – a world record.

And Ronaldo has since claimed he will “probably” retire at Al-Nassr and does not see himself continuing his playing career at another club.

“I don't know if I will retire soon, in two or three years… but I will probably retire here at Al-Nassr,” Ronaldo told Portuguese TV channel NOW. “I am very happy at this club, I feel good in this country too. I am happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue.”

And when he hangs up his boots for the last time, his national team fans are unlikely to know about the moment, having ruled out the possibility of an emotional farewell: “When I leave the national team, I will not tell anyone, it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part.”

Ronaldo will have no shortage of options after retirement if he wants to stay in football, with many young players likely keen to learn from one of the greatest players of all time, but he has played down the prospect of becoming a coach.

“At the moment I'm not thinking about becoming a coach of the first team or any team,” he added. “It doesn't even cross my mind, I've never thought about it. I don't see my future going through that.”

For now, Ronaldo is focused on helping his country ahead of the upcoming Nations League games under Roberto Martinez: “What I want now is to be able to help the national team.”

With Ronaldo's name already one of the biggest brands in the world, as evidenced by his YouTube following, there are plenty of avenues the forward could pursue as he considers retirement.

And the 39-year-old is open to what comes next, even if the idea of ​​becoming a coach has been ruled out: “I see myself doing other things outside of football, but only God knows what the future holds for me.”