Frankie Dettori claims he ‘doesn’t want to end up like Cristiano Ronaldo’ in retirement announcement

Frankie Dettori has aimed a dig at Cristiano Ronaldo‘s recent struggles, as the legendary jockey announced his retirement from horse racing.

Ronaldo has been widely criticised in recent months for failing to come to terms with a new role that reflects his age, and was accordingly dropped to the bench by both Manchester United and Portugal.

The 37-year-old is now a free agent but was seen training with his old club Real Madrid last week.

The 52-year-old  said he ‘did not want to end up’ the way Ronaldo has at the end of his career

Dettori made it clear he does not want to end his career in the same way, as he told ITV: ‘I’ve been thinking about it for a few weeks and I’ve decided with the firepower I have next year and the horses I have to ride I can finish my career on a big note. Fingers crossed I stay in one piece and we’ll give it a good go next year.

‘Look at [Cristiano] Ronaldo, one day he was playing and he’s on the bench the next. I don’t want to end up like that and end up where I’m struggling to get rides in the big races. At the moment I still have good horses to ride and I want to finish like that.’

‘I want to be competitive enough to do my owners and my horses justice next year and I think I’m still in that bracket of being good. It was difficult, but it is the right time.’

Dettori will continue to race until the end of 2023 before ending a 35-year-long career

After announcing he would be ending his racing career at the end of 2023, Dettori spoke of how he had come to the decision alongside his family, as he continued: ‘I spoke to my dad at length. 

‘My dad stopped at 51, he is very supporting and I also had to speak to my wife and children who are delighted because they have barely seen me for 35 years!

 ‘It is a very difficult decision because my heart wants to carry on riding, but I have had to use my brain and I’ve just turned 52 and next year I’ll be 53.’