“Logically speaking, it is clear for him” - When ex-Real Madrid superstar Luis Figo named club where Cristiano Ronaldo should retire
Real Madrid legend Luis Figo once advised Cristiano Ronaldo to retire at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Portuguese superstar rose through the ranks at Sporting before earning a move to Manchester United in 2003.
He became a household name at Old Trafford, and ultimately secured his dream move to Los Blancos in the summer of 2009. Cristiano Ronaldo spent nine seasons with the La Liga giants, establishing himself as one of the best players in history.
The Portuguese took his rivalry with Lionel Messi to a whole new level during his time in Spain. He ultimately left Real Madrid in the summer of 2018 to start a new adventure with Juventus.
However, speaking earlier that summer, Figo had insisted that his countryman should finish his career with Los Blancos.
"Ronaldo is at the best club in the world and he should finish his career here. Logically speaking, it is clear for him what he was won here he would not have won anywhere else and Madrid have given him a lot in terms of prestige and what they have helped him win individually," said Figo.
He added:
"A lot of the time what you want or what is going to happen does not depend on you, but on other factors that those at a distance do not realise."
Cristiano Ronaldo is Real Madrid's record goalscorer with 450 goals from 438 games.
How has Cristiano Ronaldo's career panned out since leaving Real Madrid?
Cristiano Ronaldo last won the Champions League during his time with Real Madrid. The Portuguese also lifted the Ballon d'Or for the final time during his stay with Los Blancos.
CR7 spent three seasons with Juventus, registering 101 goals from 134 games. He won the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana two times and also lifted the Coppa Italia once.
The Portuguese opted to return to Manchester United in the summer of 2021. However, his second coming at Old Trafford didn't live up to expectations.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner played under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, then Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford, but things went haywire following Erik ten Hag's arrival in 2022. Ronaldo fell out with the Dutchman, slammed him in an explosive interview, and ultimately left Manchester United in December 2022 to join Al-Nassr. While he has scored 74 goals from 83 games for the Saudi side, many will feel that CR7 played his best football with Real Madrid, where he won 16 trophies.