Cristiano Ronaldo Discusses Retirement Plans, Talks Lionel Messi and More

Hitting the age of 30 is considered a landmark for the average footballer, but Cristiano Ronaldo insists he'll be closer to 40 before he considers hanging up his boots and shined praise on Ballon d'Or rival Lionel Messi.

Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show this week, the Real Madrid superstar added he isn't hoping to follow the trend of moving to Qatar or Major League Soccer, and will pursue more business ventures in the future (via Daily Mail's Jack Gaughan):

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In my mind I want to finish at the top level. I want to finish with dignity. A good club. That doesn't mean to go to USA, Qatar or Dubai is not good but I don't see myself [going]. I am very comfortable at Real Madrid. I feel happy.

I have no passion to [coach]. I want to carry on with my brands: with my shoes, with my underwear, my shirts. I have many brands that I want to grow.

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Ronaldo is quoted stating he'll play on for another "six or seven years." Comments regarding his wish to "finish with dignity" suggested he holds little reverence for the notion of signing a lucrative contract in one of the world's developing divisions like many other veterans of late.

Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and David Villa all find themselves at MLS outfit New York City F.C., while former Real team-mate Kaka currently plays for Orlando City and Steven Gerrard has just finished his first term at L.A. Galaxy.

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Each of the aforementioned players have been considered special in their prime, but Ronaldo perhaps sees himself deserving of a different fate, one which sparkles until the end instead of fizzling out near its climax.

Ronaldo turns 31 in February, but he is still looked upon by the sport's elite as a hugely desirable asset, with Spanish newspaper AS recently linking Chelsea with a move, per Kristof Terreur of Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws:

But with a little more than two-and-a-half years remaining on his Bernabeu contract, one imagines the Portugal captain will remain in Spain's capital, the setting where he recently broke Los Blancos' all-time goalscoring record.

The forward was great when he left Manchester United in 2009, but these last six years with Real have elevated Ronaldo to legend status. Nevertheless, he went on to concede Messi, 28, is the favourite to win the 2015 Ballon d'Or after clinching a European and domestic treble last season, per the Daily Mail's Gaughan:

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To be honest I think Messi is going to win. This kind of trophy depends on votes and he won competitions. He won the Champions League and La Liga.

I have a normal relationship (with Messi). We share this stage at FIFA for eight years. No-one did that in the past, only us. So it's good, I have a good relationship with him. We are not old friends but we respect each other.

In terms of individual (performances) I probably did the best season of my career, which is good. I was the highest scorer in Europe. It's all about votes. It's difficult. To be honest I'm not very worried about that because I never thought I'd win three times. To win it once is incredible.

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Ronaldo has won the last two Ballon d'Or awards in succession, but Barca's trio of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez are widely expected to challenge for all three podium places at the January announcement.

A celebration of individual talent shouldn't necessarily prioritise team achievements when voting for a winner, but BBC Sport's Andy West admitted Barca's treble is difficult to ignore:

Never before has football enjoyed such a direct head-to-head between two talents quite so unique in their own ways, but Ronaldo gives hope we might see their rivalry live on for years to come.

Some see their elevated state of competition as unfair to the rest. However, having a Ronaldo and Messi rivalry as a target for the rest of football's superstars can only be positive for the sport, and long may it continue.