Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed the 2026-27 campaign is likely to be the final season of his remarkable playing career, with the Portugal captain saying he has already started planning for life after football.
The 41-year-old made the admission during an interview with Vogue, days after marrying long-term partner Georgina Rodrรญguez. Ronaldo said he wants to end his career on his own terms after more than two decades at the highest level.
“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo said.
The Al-Nassr forward added that he already has a clear vision for retirement and intends to spend more time with his family while pursuing interests away from the pitch.
“I have my future all mapped out,” he said. “Football could leave a big hole, so you have to fill your time in various ways. Have more fun, travel more, play padel, which I really like, and enjoy what we’ve earned after 25 years of sacrifice.”
Ronaldo remains under contract with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr for one more season and is closing in on another significant milestone. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 976 senior goals for club and country, leaving him 24 away from the 1,000-goal mark.
His comments come only weeks after he confirmed the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be the final World Cup of his career. Portugal were eliminated in the round of 16, ending Ronaldo’s hopes of lifting the one major trophy that has eluded him.
Ronaldo’s career has spanned Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr, with league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia, five Champions League crowns and five Ballon d’Or awards. He is also men’s international football’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Although Ronaldo stopped short of announcing an immediate retirement date, his latest remarks strongly suggest the countdown has begun to the end of one of football’s greatest careers.
Verification notes:
- Verified Ronaldo’s quotes through Reuters, which confirmed they came from his Vogue interview.
- Verified that Ronaldo is 41, has one year remaining on his Al-Nassr contract and is 24 goals short of 1,000 senior career goals.
- Corrected the wording to reflect that Ronaldo said this is “probably” his last season, not that he has definitively announced his retirement.
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