Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he intends to spend another 10 years at Real Madrid, eventually hanging up his boots at the age of 41.
On Thursday, Ronaldo was crowned UEFA's Best Player in Europe for 2016 after helping Real Madrid win an 11th European Cup during the 2015-16 campaign and leading Portugal to Euro 2016 glory.
The 31-year-old has branded 2016 "an unforgettable year for club and country" and has denied suggestions that he is entering the latter stages of his career as he prepares to pen a lifetime deal at the Bernabeu.
"It was an unforgettable year for club and country, plus collectively and individually. It was awesome and I'm very happy. [UEFA Best Player] is a very important trophy, and after winning the two most important competitions at club and international level, to win this individual trophy caps off a remarkable year," Ronaldo told reporters.
"I must thank my colleagues from Madrid and the national team for the year they did, and I'm very happy. I want to continue [like this], maintaining my level of performance, trying to win things for Madrid, keeping up my rate of goals and assists, helping my club achieve their goals of winning La Liga, the Champions League and Copa del Rey and qualifying Portugal for the World Cup.
"I'm at the best club in the world and I want to retire here, at 41, as I've said before! The aim is to extend my contract and stay."
Ronaldo has scored 364 times in 348 appearances for Real Madrid since joining from Manchester United in 2009. The forward has also registered 61 goals in 133 matches for the Portuguese national team.
Matt Law
