Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that his new five-year deal with Los Blancos will not take him through to the end of his career.
The 31-year-old yesterday agreed a new long-term contract that will keep him at the Bernabeu until 2021, but he is confident that he will continue playing beyond then.
Ronaldo outlined his desire to stay at "the best club in the world" until his retirement, though, and vowed to continue making history for the 11-time champions of Europe.
"It's a very important day, I have said many times that I carry this club in my heart, it is part of me and it is a special time in my life. I'm going to be here for another five years, but let it be known this will not be my last contract. We have to wait and see [whether I retire at Madrid]," he told reporters.
"No-one knows what the future holds, of course I would like to end my career at this club, this is my penultimate contract, I want to be here for many years to come. I am overjoyed. I'm at the best club in the world. Football sometimes forgets, but this club doesn't and you don't. I want to continue being the best, wear the shirt with pride and contribute the same over the next five years as I have done in my time here, scoring goals and winning titles. I want to continue re-writing history at this club.
"When I don't score I might come across as nervous or anxious, I'm used to scoring so many goals and when you don't score a lot of things go through your mind. If I do not score in a game, for a week, a month, I will be the same Ronaldo as always and defend the colours of the club. I'm on a crest of a wave, overjoyed, looking back at last season I have won the European Championships, the Champions League and signed a five-year deal. It is something I thought was impossible."
Ronaldo has scored 371 goals in just 360 games for Madrid.
Barney Corkhill
