‘I wouldn’t be surprised’: Patrice Evra claims Cristiano Ronaldo could make sensational retirement

Patrice Evra believes Cristiano Ronaldo could retire after Portugal’s World Cup trip ended in disappointment as the superstar failed to achieve his ‘dream’ of winning the tournament.

One of the greatest footballers of all time, Ronaldo is currently a free agent after his contract with Manchester United was terminated before the tournament in Qatar started.

Now his former team-mate Evra, who played alongside Ronaldo during his first stint in Manchester, has admitted it would not surprise him if the striker ended his hugely successful career.

Cristiano Ronaldo could retire from football as he continues to search for a new club

Ronaldo played a small role in Portugal’s 2022 World Cup campaign, often remaining on the bench

Evra revealed he has spoken to Ronaldo since he left United, telling Sky Sports: “I don’t know [what he will do next]. Messi says he will resign [from the World Cup]but I don’t know if Ronaldo will resign.

“Sometimes when you get so much criticism, especially at the end of your career, you say, ‘Okay, I think it’s time to stop.’

“It has to be a feeling, especially when you’re not in the starting XI for your national team, because that’s what Cristiano wanted; to play, to be fit and to win the World Cup with his country.

The 37-year-old was visibly shaken after Portugal’s World Cup elimination against Morocco

Patrice Evra (right) believes Ronaldo (left) could end his 20-year career

“That was his dream; now he doesn’t have that dream. While I won’t be speaking for Cristiano, I wouldn’t be surprised if he says he’s retiring. Now everything Cristiano does is a ‘bad person’, a ‘bad player’ or whatever. I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to retire.”

Ronaldo’s participation in his fifth and likely final World Cup has meant the 37-year-old series title winner has played a small role and found himself in the starting line-up.

Ronaldo’s second spell at Man United ended disastrously with the termination of his contract

Ronaldo has cemented his status as one of football’s greatest stars of all time after years of success

The now-deceased Portugal head coach Fernando Santos opted to give the experienced attacker a break, opting instead to give rising talent Goncalo Ramos more minutes.

The European nation were surprisingly eliminated from the World Cup by semi-finalists Morocco, with Ronaldo frustrated at not having playing time in the Middle East.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is currently facing the most severe criticism of his career following a disastrous end to his Man United career and reports of poor attitude within the Portugal national team camp.

Former Man United team-mate Evra believes Ronaldo could now decide to retire from football

Ronaldo has previously expressed his desire to continue playing into his 40s, revealing in his brazen interview with Piers Morgan that he would like to continue to succeed at the highest level.

However, a reported lack of interest from Europe’s biggest clubs leaves the door open to the possibility of Ronaldo’s 20-year career coming to an end.