Cristiano Ronaldo is harming his legacy by still playing for the Portugal national side according to a former Premier League star.
Ronaldo turned 40 earlier this month but no longer plays in Europe after joining Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in 2023 following his exit from Manchester United.
The critics feel that Ronaldo should not be starting for the Portugal national team at his age, but former Netherlands and Chelsea star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink feels Ronaldo should not be playing international football.
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"Football doesn't need Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo has been one of the best players for a long time; one of the best players in history. I think, at the moment, he's doing himself more harm than good to be playing for Portugal still – it's impacting his legacy," Hasselbaink told Gambling Zone.
"And if you ask me, Messi or Ronaldo, I will always say Ronaldo because of what he had to do to get to that level and to stay there.
"We all know as footballers, and I know this really, really well from my playing time, there's a time when you come and there's a time where you need to go. I think his time had come a while ago, and he needs to give somebody else the opportunity.
"I don't think that he is at the moment better than the other options that Portugal have. Some games you need to press, some games you need to do different things, and I don't think that he can do that anymore. There's no shame in that. For him to even be playing at 40 is a landmark in itself.
"There comes a time when you have to hang the boots up. I think that time will come when Messi stops. I think when Messi decides to call it a day, so will Ronaldo."