Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his intention to buy a football club after he retires from professional football.
The 39-year-old currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia and his contract in the Middle East expires at the end of this season. There is speculation as to whether this could be his final season in football but he has previously expressed his desire to reach 1,000 goals before hanging up his boots.
Naturally, the conversation surrounding retirement was brought up at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. When asked if he had thought about becoming a coach, Ronaldo insisted that path was not for him.
"I'm not a coach. I'm never going to be a coach, president of the club? No. Maybe owner of the club," he explained.
Should he take this path, he would be following in the footsteps of a number of former United players. Gary Neville, along with his Class of '92 teammates, have purchased League Two club Salford City, while David Beckham formed and owns MLS franchise Inter Miami.
Ronaldo was pressed as to whether he had decided which club he would like to purchase. "I will see. It will depend on the moment, the right opportunities," he replied before adding after a question on the Glazers at United: "If I will be the owner of the club, I will make the things clear and adjust what I think is bad there.
"I am still very young, I have so many plans and dreams ahead. Mark my words, I will be an owner of a big club. For sure."
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