There is still much discussion about Cristiano Ronaldo's future when he hangs up his boots, and his former teammate at Manchester United and close friend, Patrice Evra, shared his thoughts on what the national team captain will do after reaching a thousand goals in his football career. "Cristiano Ronaldo is busy trying to score 1000 goals. I see Cristiano owning a football club in the future, like I do, rather than becoming a football coach," he began, in an interview with Stake, before it was revealed that the Portuguese international had acquired 25% of Almería in Spain. "Cristiano likes to be the best at everything, so if he became a coach, he would want to be the best coach of all time, just as he is as a player. I think any club would accept him as a coach if he wanted to," he stated, comparing him to Zidane, who only briefly took charge of Real Madrid and, after several years away, is expected to head to the French national team. "Zinedine Zidane is a perfect example. I hope Cristiano Ronaldo can do what Zizou did: win a few UEFA Champions Leagues and then take a nice vacation [laughs]," he added with a smile. The former left-back was once again challenged to compare him to Lionel Messi and assured that neither will finish their careers in Europe. "Yes, I think Lionel Messi will stay in MLS. I think Inter Miami is building something great. Messi renewed his contract with the club, and he and his family seem very happy with the decision. I don't see him returning to Europe, just like Cristiano Ronaldo. They have proven everything in Europe; it wouldn't make sense for them to return. Karim Benzema did the same; instead of returning to Europe, he joined another club in Saudi Arabia. Messi and Ronaldo have proven they are the best of all time; I don't see them coming back," he explained, hoping that both could meet in the final of the 2026 World Cup. "Argentina – Portugal? One last dance in the World Cup final between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would be incredible; both are the best of all time. I'm not sure if they are the two best teams that will compete, though…" he pointed out, not believing that this will happen. Another topic discussed was Manchester United, and Evra praised the team's leader, Bruno Fernandes, at a time when there is talk of him leaving in the summer. "Man. United almost lost Bruno Fernandes at the start of the season, and Ruben Amorim managed to convince him to stay. Players of Bruno's caliber can always go to any club and win trophies elsewhere, but he is at Man United. He believes in the club's history, he is the captain, and his family is well established in Manchester. Some players have left Man. United and won trophies, but they didn't have the same impact they had at the club. I think Bruno will have many opportunities in the summer; it's up to him to decide if he wants to leave," said the Frenchman. On the other hand, Evra pointed to Luis Enrique as the ideal successor to Ruben Amorim. "I'm not speaking with the Manchester United management or Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but in my honest opinion, without disrespecting PSG or Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Luis Enrique would be the ideal coach for Manchester United. I love the man, I love his philosophy, what he has gone through in his personal life and overcome shows his character. The work he did at PSG, taking them to the Champions League without Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, or Neymar, is fantastic," he stated, although he wants to give Michael Carrick a chance. "Players would have to work hard to play at Manchester United; they would have to run a lot, and I think Enrique would bring that. But I don't think we should dismiss Michael Carrick; he did a great job, and we need to give him a chance. People want an incredible coach for Man United, but right now, we need someone who understands the club and the players. Enrique is a brilliant strategist and great with players, but I think Carrick deserves a chance," he assured.
If Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo remains central to this story.
If Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo remains central to this story.
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