‘This is probably my last year of football,’ says Ronaldo
Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that 2026 may be his final year as a professional footballer.
The 41-year-old five Ballon d’Or winner from Portugal told Vogue on Sunday, after marrying his wife Georgina Rodríguez last Tuesday.
Ronaldo said, “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.”
He pointed out that he was “looking forward to spending more time with the family”.
Noting that he has his future “all mapped out” after retirement, Ronaldo stated, “I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard. Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.
“And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned, what we’ve earned. Because, after all, it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star, who made his professional debut with Sporting Lisbon in 2002, has played and scored in a record-breaking sixth World Cup.
With one year left in his contract with the Saudi club, Ronaldo, who has so far scored 976 goals for club and country, is closing in on his aim of reaching 1,000 career goals.
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