[ad_1]
Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed he is only thinking about the short term as his time as a footballer draws to a close.
The 38-year-old has no plans to retire from the game at the moment, having signed for Al-Nassr last winter after a bitter departure from Manchester United.
Ronaldo has excelled for the Saudi Pro League team this season, scoring 10 goals in eight league games.
And he has also been in good form for Portugal, scoring twice as they beat Slovakia 3-2 on Friday night.
Cristiano Ronaldo scores two goals as Portugal beat Slovakia on Friday night
getty
Ronaldo has now been asked about what the future holds, having won practically every trophy during his time in the game.
And the Al-Nassr star responded by saying he was not thinking too far ahead.
“Things have happened in my life, both personally and professionally, that make me think more in the short term these days,” he said.
“People say I will keep playing till I am 40 or 41.
“I don’t set these goals. It’s just a question of enjoying the moment, which is a good moment.
“I feel good. My body is responding how I’ve treated it for years.”
“I am happy both at my club and at the Seleção.
“I’ve scored a lot of goals, I feel in good shape physically. It’s a question of enjoying the moment.”
Ronaldo was speaking after rumors were rubbished that he would face 99 lashes in Iran.
On Friday, Iranian media claimed the Portugal international was being punished for ‘adultery’.
Ronaldo met Fatemeh Hamimi, a paralyzed panter, during a visit to the country last month.
The footballer posed for a photo with Hamimi, while video footage showed him hugging her and giving her a kiss on the head.
Such crimes may be punishable in the Middle East. Touching a woman who is not your wife is, according to their laws, equivalent to adultery.
It was even said that Ronaldo had already been sentenced for showing kindness to Hamimi.
However, those rumors have since been dismissed by the Iranian Embassy in Madrid.
“We strongly refuse to issue any punishment against any international athlete in Iran,” it said in a statement.
“It is a matter of concern that the publication of such false news could amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes against the oppressed Palestinian state.
“It should be noted that Cristiano Ronaldo traveled to Iran on 18 and 19 September to play an official football match and was very well received by the people and the authorities.
“His honest and humane meeting with Fatemeh Hamami was praised by both the people and the country’s sports authorities.”
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has also said that he would like to score 1,000 goals by the time he retires.
latest developments:
Rumors that Cristiano Ronaldo received 99 lashes have been debunked online
TIC Toc
The veteran has netted 857 times so far.
And Ronaldo said: “It will be quite difficult [to score 1,000 goals] But it’s about my mindset and my motivation.
“If, physically, my legs treat me the same way I treat them… we’ll see, these are baby steps.
“To get to 1,000, you have to get to 900 first.
“I think I’ll get there.”
