Former Italy forward Antonio Cassano has called for Cristiano Ronaldo to retire or risk becoming a regular substitute after his recent struggles.
Ronaldo has started just one league game this campaign under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, but was on the teamsheet for both of Portugal’s Nations League games during the international break.
His place in the national team is now being questioned, though, as he failed to score in either game and missed a number of opportunities against Spain on Tuesday.
Portugal lost that game 1-0, meaning they failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the Nations League and Cassano feels Ronaldo is no longer reaching his usual high standards, and should retire.
”At this point, Cristiano should do himself a favour and understand that if you don’t reach a certain level, you should close the shop,’ Cassano told Cabine Desportiva.
‘He won everything, he was a phenomenon. Stop! You have to stop or you’ll only run into the bench.’
Ronaldo currently holds the world record for number of goals in international men’s football, having scored 117 times for his country.
Portugal now have a number of attacking options, though, including Rafael Leao and Joao Felix who were both left out of the latest starting line-up.
The United forward is unlikely to hang up his boots before the World Cup in Qatar which is less than two months away, but whether he could now have a more limited role at the tournament remains to be seen.
Resolving his issues at club level may also determine how long he continues playing for. His game time has been limited this campaign, and Marcus Rashford is in line to return from injury to play in the Manchester derby on Sunday which could leave Ronaldo on the bench once more.
The 37-year-old told United that he wished to the club in the summer transfer window, but was unable to find a Champions League club that wanted to sign him, and ended up staying with the Red Devils.
He has since found it hard to rediscover his best form, and Cassano has suggested that his time at the top level could be coming to an end.
