Cristiano Ronaldo has been advised to consider retiring from professional football after the 2026 World Cup instead of extending his career in the United States alongside Lionel Messi.
Former Arsenal and Sweden midfielder Anders Limpar believes the Al-Nassr star should prioritise preserving his extraordinary legacy rather than risking it by moving to Major League Soccer (MLS) at the twilight of his career.
Ronaldo, who continues to deliver strong performances in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, remains at the centre of debate over his next career move as he approaches the age of 41.
While fans have long dreamed of a potential MLS reunion between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Limpar warned that such a move could prove difficult and may expose the Portuguese icon to a harsher reality in a physically demanding league.
He also pointed out that Ronaldo has recently dealt with injuries during international duty with Portugal national football team, raising further concerns about longevity at the highest level.
Limpar argued that the forward, who has achieved success at clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, risks damaging his reputation if he continues playing beyond the World Cup.
“Why start another journey in MLS at 41? It is not an easy league to play in,” he said, adding that even elite players would face challenges in the American competition.
He further suggested that reaching the milestone of 1,000 career goals should serve as the perfect final achievement before Ronaldo hangs up his boots.
“Score the 1,000 goals and then retire,” Limpar said, insisting that no player would come close to matching Ronaldo’s achievements in football history.
Meanwhile, controversy continues to surround the Saudi Pro League, where Al-Nassr has been accused of benefiting from favourable officiating decisions during their title pursuit.
Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney recently claimed referees appeared to overlook certain incidents in matches involving Al-Nassr, allegations that have added further scrutiny to the league’s competitive integrity.
