Frankie Dettori claims he “didn’t want to end up like Cristiano Ronaldo” when announcing his retirement.

Frankie Dettori has opened up about Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent struggles as the legendary jockey announced his retirement from horse racing.

Ronaldo has been widely criticized in recent months for not settling into a new role befitting his age and has been benched by both Manchester United and Portugal accordingly.

The 37-year-old is now a free agent but was spotted training with his old club Real Madrid last week.

Frankie Dettori attacked Cristiano Ronaldo as he announced his retirement from racing

The 52-year-old said he “didn’t want to end up” like Ronaldo did at the end of his career

Dettori made it clear he doesn’t want to end his career in the same way, as he told ITV: “I’ve thought about it for a few weeks and made my decision, with the firepower I have next year and the horses I have If I have to drive, I can end my career on a big note. Fingers crossed I stay in one piece and we have a good try next year.

‘Look at [Cristiano] Ronaldo, one day he was playing and the next he was on the bench. I don’t want to end up like this and end up fighting to get into the big races. At the moment I still have good horses to ride and I want to finish like that.”

“I want to be competitive enough to do justice to my owners and my horses over the next year and I think I’m still in class to be good. It was difficult, but it’s the right time.’

Dettori will continue racing until the end of 2023 before ending a 35-year career

After announcing he would be retiring from racing at the end of 2023, Dettori spoke about how he and his family came to the decision, continuing: “I spoke extensively with my father.

“My dad left when he was 51, he’s very supportive and I also had to talk to my wife and kids who are happy because they haven’t seen me in 35 years!

“It’s a very difficult decision because my heart wants to keep going but I had to use my brain and I just turned 52 and next year I’ll be 53.”