Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that his remarkable playing career could be entering its final year, with the 41-year-old Portugal captain admitting that this season will “probably” be his last in professional football.
Ronaldo, 41, made the admission in a newly released interview with Vogue, opening up about his plans for life after football and the legacy he wants to leave behind.
“This will probably be my last year in football and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo said.
The statement comes at a time when Ronaldo is still scoring goals regularly and showing little sign of slowing down. He finished last season as the third-highest scorer in the Saudi Pro League with 28 goals for Al Nassr.
He is also closing in on one of the biggest milestones of his career. Ronaldo has scored 976 goals in 1,326 games for club and country, leaving him 24 short of 1,000.
For a player who has spent more than two decades at the top of the game, retirement has naturally been a subject of discussion for some time. But Ronaldo’s latest comments are perhaps his clearest indication yet that the end is getting closer.
The Portuguese forward has already started thinking about what life will look like once football is no longer part of his daily routine.
“I already have my entire future planned. I have so many things to keep me busy that it’s difficult to name just one,” he said.
“Since football can leave a great void, it’s necessary to fill the time in various ways, not just one.”
Ronaldo also spoke about some of the things he wants to do more often once his playing days are over, including travelling and playing padel.
“And also to have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really enjoy, and continue to enjoy what I’ve achieved – what we’ve achieved,” he said.
“After all, it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”
Ronaldo’s interview came around the time of his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez, with the couple holding a family ceremony at their home in Cascais last week.
The Portugal star has since returned to Al Nassr, although he missed the club’s opening Saudi Pro League game against Al Fateh after a busy summer with the national team.
WHAT COMES NEXT FOR RONALDO?
Ronaldo has previously spoken about his plans for life after football and has suggested that owning a club could be one of the avenues he explores.
In 2023, he admitted that he would be interested in becoming a club owner.
“I don’t rule out becoming a club owner,” he said during an event in Madrid for his bottled water business venture.
“It’s something I thought about a few years back. I probably would like to own a [football] club. I’m at the end of my career, two to three years maximum.”
A move into coaching, however, does not appear to be part of Ronaldo’s plans.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has previously been clear that he does not see himself taking charge of a team once his playing career ends.
“When I leave the national team, I won’t tell anyone in advance and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a very well thought-out one,” Ronaldo said in an interview with Portuguese publication NOW.
“I’m not thinking about being a coach of the first team or any team. It doesn’t even cross my mind. I’ve never thought about it. I don’t see my future going through that. I see myself doing other things outside of football, but only God knows what the future holds.”
For now, Ronaldo’s focus remains on football and the chase for 1,000 goals.
He has 976 to his name and, despite being 41, continues to lead the line for both Al Nassr and Portugal. But for perhaps the first time, the man who has spent 25 years pushing the limits of his career is openly looking beyond the pitch.
The final chapter is approaching. Ronaldo has now admitted it himself.
– Ends
