Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo considered retirement in 2019.

That's according to his biographer, Thierry Marchand.

The author spoke about a conversation with the Portuguese in 2019: “When you achieve success, it's easy to stay in your bubble without leaving your comfort zone.

"I decided to move to Turin, change the club, the championship, the football culture. I put myself in danger. I took this risk, and therefore, I am sure, I could not win the Ballon d'Or in 2018. If (Lionel) Messi wins an award this year, I will retire from football."

Messi won the Ballon d'Or in 2019 with Barcelona and then in 2021 with PSG.

The 37-year-old Portuguese played for Juventus from 2018 to 2021. In August 2021, he moved to Manchester United.