Cristiano Ronaldo has given one of his strongest hints yet that retirement is approaching, revealing that the current campaign will “probably” be his final year as a professional footballer.
According to Vogue, the Portuguese superstar made the revelation during an exclusive interview alongside his wife, Georgina Rodríguez, as the couple discussed their marriage, family life and what lies ahead after more than two decades at the highest level of football.
“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo said.
The admission suggests the 41-year-old is seriously considering bringing down the curtain on a career that has seen him become one of the most successful and recognisable footballers in history.
Ronaldo retirement hint raises prospect of farewell
Although Ronaldo stopped short of announcing a definite retirement date, his comments indicate that he has already begun preparing mentally for life away from competitive football.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner acknowledged that leaving the game after about 25 years would create a major change in his life, but said he intends to embrace other interests when the time eventually comes.
Ronaldo said travelling, spending more time with his family and playing padel are among the activities he hopes to enjoy after retirement.
His comments come as he prepares for another season with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr while continuing his pursuit of the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals.
Ronaldo has scored 976 goals for club and country and remains an important figure for both Al-Nassr and the Portuguese national team.
Wedding offers glimpse into Ronaldo’s next chapter
The interview also offered a glimpse into the quieter family life Ronaldo could embrace after football.
Ronaldo and Georgina married on August 11 in an intimate ceremony held in the living room of their home in Cascais, Portugal, exactly 10 years after they first met at a Gucci store in Madrid.
Rather than stage a lavish celebrity wedding, the couple chose to celebrate privately with their children at the centre of the ceremony.
Following the wedding, the family visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima for a blessing before Ronaldo prepared to return to Riyadh and resume football duties.
There was also no traditional honeymoon, with Ronaldo joking, “Every day is a honeymoon.”
For now, Ronaldo remains focused on football, but his admission that this season could be his last means one of the sport’s most decorated careers may finally be entering its closing chapter.
