Published : 17 Aug 2026, 05:36 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:33 AM
Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that the curtain could be nearing its fall, saying the coming season is likely to be his last in football.
The 41-year-old, who married longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez on Tuesday, said he is already thinking about life beyond the game after 25 years of extraordinary success.
“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo told Vogue in an interview about his wedding.
The Portugal captain has won five Ballon d’Or awards, five Champions League titles and league championships in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia. He is also the leading scorer in men’s international football.
Ronaldo has spent nearly four years with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr and has one year left on his contract.
“I have my future all mapped out,” he said. “Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.”
He said he wanted to travel, play padel, spend more time enjoying life and make the most of what he and his family had earned.
Ronaldo is also closing in on another landmark, needing 24 goals to reach 1,000 senior career goals.
His longtime rival Lionel Messi, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, has also admitted he is unsure how much longer he will play following the passing of his father and longtime advisor, Jorge.
Ronaldo has yet to decide whether the 2026 World Cup will be his last, saying in July he would make that call “with a calm head” after speaking to his family.
