Cristiano Ronaldo drops transfer hint while receiving incredible award and apologises to Gianluigi Buffon

Cristiano Ronaldo has left the door open to a return to European football, saying: “you never know what’s going to happen”.

The 39-year-old was a special guest of UEFA’s on Thursday night as he took part in the Champions League League Phase draw.

But before the draw for the newly-formatted competition got underway, the Portuguese superstar was gifted a special prize by Aleksander Ceferin.

The award was for being the Champions League’s all-time top goalscorer, a record he achieved by netting an incredible 140 goals in the competition.

One of those efforts was a spectacular bicycle kick against Gianluigi Buffon during the 2018 Champions League quarter-final clash between Real Madrid and Juventus.

When the topic was brought up on stage, Ronaldo put his hand on his chest and said: “I’m sorry, Gigi,” to the Italian goalkeeper who had joined him on stage.

Attention then turned to his club future with Ceferin speaking about his goalscoring record in the Champions League and poking fun at the fact he doesn’t play in it anymore.

“I play Asian [Champions] League, don’t forget that,” Ronaldo said with a smile.

“For me it is a pleasure to be here. Thank you for this amazing award it means a lot to me.

“As you know, Champions League it’s the highest in football. I had an opportunity, not only you know the record speaks for itself, but I don’t mean that, I mean the pleasure to play that competition… it’s our motivation.

“Football… you never know what’s going to happen, let’s see what the future brings.”

His comment comes after an interview in Portugal where he suggested that he’s likely to see out his playing career in Saudi Arabia.

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He told NOW: “I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years… but probably I will retire here at Al Nassr.

“I’m very happy at this club, I feel good in this country too. I’m happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue.”

Ronaldo has one year left on his contract at Al Nassr, with the Saudi side keen to extend his deal.

But after joking with Rio Ferdinand about how he plans to surpass Pele’s all-time goalscoring record, it seems like the five-time Ballon d’Or winner still has fire in his belly.