Cristiano Ronaldo has opened the door to the final chapter of one of football’s greatest careers. The Portugal captain says this season will “probably” be his last, with the 41-year-old determined to leave a legacy that matches his extraordinary journey.
Ronaldo made the admission in an interview with Vogue after getting married to Georgina Rodriguez. His words offer the clearest sign yet that retirement is now close, even though he still has goals left to chase.
“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo said.
The decision comes after almost 25 years at the top of the game. Ronaldo has won five Ballons d’Or, five Champions League titles and league trophies in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia.
He also helped Portugal win the European Championship and Nations League. At international level, he remains the leading men’s goalscorer in history, with 146 goals for his country.
His World Cup story ended this year after Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the last 16. It was his sixth World Cup, and he became the first player to score at six different editions, finishing the tournament with 11 goals from 27 appearances.
Yet Ronaldo has shown little sign of slowing down. At Al-Nassr, he continues to score regularly and is now just 24 goals away from reaching 1,000 senior career goals.
That milestone could give his final season another dramatic subplot. For a player who has built his career around records, reaching four figures before walking away would be a fitting final target.
Ronaldo also admitted that leaving football will create a major change in his life. “Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways,” he said.
He plans to spend more time with his family, travel, watch and play padel, and enjoy what he has earned. His Al-Nassr contract runs until 2027, but his latest comments suggest his playing career may end much sooner.
There is also a remarkable twist involving his old rival Lionel Messi. Messi has also questioned how much longer he will continue, leaving football potentially facing the retirement of two defining stars from the same generation.
For Ronaldo, the finish line is finally visible. But with 1,000 goals within reach, his final season could still have one last record-breaking act.
