Misquoted Cristiano Ronaldo Did Not Say He Will Retire If Portugal Win World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he plans to retire from soccer at the age of 40. But he did not say he will retire if Portugal win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he plans to retire from soccer at the age of 40.

The Manchester United forward is currently 37 and will turn 38 in February.

Speaking in his interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo said: "I want to play two years more, three years more. So two or three years maximum. I want to finish at 40. I think 40, will be a good age…

"But I don't know, I don't know the future. Sometimes you plan one thing for your life and, as I told many times, the life is dynamic. And you never know what's going to happen."

Qatar 2022 will be Ronaldo's fifth World Cup and he believes it will be his last.

Portugal are currently ranked joint-eighth in the betting to win the tournament but Ronaldo is confident that they can spring a surprise.

He said: "I am very optimistic. We have a fantastic coach and we have a good generation of football players. I'm looking forward that we're going to it, an amazing World Cup.

"[It's] going be tough, extremely difficult. But everything is possible. But of course we're going to compete."

Ronaldo Misquoted About Retirement

After the second part of Ronaldo's interview with Morgan aired on Thursday, a quote from Ronaldo went viral on social media and even appeared in some news stories.

The quote was Ronaldo saying he will "retire, 100%" if Portugal win the World Cup in Qatar.

But he did not say that.

Ronaldo's actual quote had been in response to a dream scenario put forward by Morgan.

The journalist said to Ronaldo: "So what about this idea? You get to the final, Portugal vs Argentina... You score two, [Lionel] Messi scores two. The last minute, 94th minute, you score a third for your hat-trick and win the World Cup. Is that the dream?"

Ronaldo replied: "It's too good. I didn't expect that too good dream. Another player can score. I don't care. If Portugal are in the final, even if the goalkeeper scores, I don't care. I will be the most happy man in the world."

He then said, referring to Morgan's fantasy hat-trick scenario: "But if this happened, come on. I will say I will finish football if this happens. I retire, 100%."

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Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time leading scorer and appearance-maker :: IMAGO/Contrast