Cristiano Ronaldo says this year is likely his last season as a footballer

As one of the greatest players to ever play football, fans have been following the final years of Cristiano Ronaldo's glittering career, wondering when he could choose to hang up his boots.

Cristiano Ronaldo has fuelled speculation about his retirement plans after saying the upcoming year will probably be the ​last of his playing career. The 41-year-old Portugal captain is ‌one of the most decorated players of all time, winning major trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and his current club Al-Nassr ​since making his senior debut for Sporting in 2002. Ronaldo, ​a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, was unable to ⁠add a World Cup title to his list of honours ​after Portugal fell short at this year’s tournament, leaving the ​sport’s biggest prize absent from his trophy cabinet. “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” ​Ronaldo told lifestyle magazine Vogue in an interview published ​on Sunday. The forward has scored 976 goals for club and country during ‌a ⁠career spanning more than two decades. “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,” he said. “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.” Ronaldo will ⁠continue ​playing for Saudi Pro League club ​Al-Nassr this season as he closes in on the milestone of 1,000 career ​goals.

Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has given his strongest hint yet of when he will retire. "This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy," the Al-Nassr striker told Vogue magazine in an interview on Sunday to mark his wedding to Georgina Rodríguez.

Al-Nassr and Portugal forward expects to retire soonRonaldo has more than 950 goals for club and countryCristiano Ronaldo believes this year is “probably” his last as a professional footballer, the 41-year-old Portugal captain said in an interview with Vogue magazine published on Sunday.Ronaldo, who has established his place among football’s all-time greats with more than 950 goals for club and country, had previously spoken of retiring “soon” or within “one or two years”. Continue reading...

MADRID, Spain (AFP)—Cristiano Ronaldo believes this year is "probably" his last as a professional footballer, the 41-year-old Portuguese superstar said in an interview with Vogue magazine published on Sunday. Ronaldo, who has established his place among football's all-time greats with more than 950 goals for club and country, had previously spoken of retiring "soon" or within "one or two years". "This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy," he told Vogue, saying his future after football was "all mapped out". "I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard," he said, listing travel and padel among his favourite activities. "Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one," said the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward. Ronaldo married his longstanding partner Georgina Rodriguez in an intimate ceremony in the Portuguese resort of Cascais on Tuesday. He told Vogue he wanted to "continue to enjoy what I've earned -- what we've earned. Because after all it's been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice", referring to his glittering career. After leading Portugal to the last 16 of his last World Cup this summer, Ronaldo is due to link up with his club Al Nassr for the new Saudi Pro League season.

Legendary Portugal footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has sent shockwaves through the football world after admitting that he could be playing his final season. The 41-year-old Portugal superstar has opened up about his future and made it clear that the end of his incredible playing career could be closer than fans expected."This will probably be my last year in football, and I want to leave a great legacy," Ronaldo said in an interview with Vogue. The development just days after his marriage with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez. Cristiano Ronaldo: “This may truly be my LAST YEAR in football”.“I want to leave an amazing legacy”, told Vogue. pic.twitter.com/Rt7SkNrzGU— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 16, 2026 The statement immediately raised questions about when fans could see Ronaldo walk away from the game. The Al-Nassr forward has not announced a fixed retirement date, but his words are his clearest indication yet that his playing days are nearing their end.The Day Cristiano and Georgina became Husband and Wife.❤️ pic.twitter.com/YUEt0F1R6Y— Georgina Rodriguez & Cristiano (@GeorginaRonald0) August 16, 2026 Life After FootballAfter more than two decades at the highest level, Ronaldo appears to be preparing for a completely different chapter of his life.Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez are married! For weeks, the internet was awash with speculation—about the date, the location, the guest list. (The rumored celebrity attendees included everyone from Rio Ferdinand to Rihanna.) In the end, the couple’s wedding took place on… pic.twitter.com/uBNOBVteye— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) August 16, 2026 The Portuguese icon said he has already planned his future and has many things that will keep him busy once his football career ends. He also spoke about enjoying everything he has achieved during a career that has taken him from Sporting CP to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr.JUST IN: Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at retirement:“This will probably be my last year playing football” pic.twitter.com/DiEDFnRXBh— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) August 16, 2026 Ronaldo's journey has made him one of the most recognisable players in football history. His record-breaking goals, major trophies and famous celebrations have made him a global sporting icon.One Last Chapter For CR7?Ronaldo's latest comments come just weeks after he played in his sixth and final FIFA World Cup. He had already confirmed before Portugal's last-16 match against Spain that the 2026 World Cup would be his final appearance at the tournament.Now, he has gone a step further by suggesting that his entire playing career could also be entering its final chapter.Will you have more children? Maybe seven?️ Cristiano Ronaldo:"I never say no."️ Georgina Rodríguez:"Having another child now would be too crowded at home.But when the youngest is 15 or 16, we'll still be young, so why not? It's true I can't imagine myself without… pic.twitter.com/oyHbJJ1eEl— The Nassr Tribune™️ (@AlNassrTribune) August 16, 2026 That means every Ronaldo appearance could carry extra importance if the veteran forward does decide to retire at the end of the season.For millions of fans who have grown up watching CR7, the thought of seeing him play his final match is already an emotional one.The End Of An EraRonaldo has spent around 25 years competing at the highest level. From his early days in Portugal to becoming a superstar at Manchester United and Real Madrid, he has built a career that few players in football history can match.He is now 41 and remains one of the biggest names in the Saudi Pro League. His continued presence has also helped keep the global spotlight on Al-Nassr and Saudi football.Fact Check: Did Cristiano Ronaldo & Georgina Rodriguez Watch Lionel Messi During Inter Miami's MLS Match?But Ronaldo's latest words suggest that even the legendary CR7 era has an ending in sight.The final whistle may not have arrived yet. But after his latest retirement hint, football fans have been given a warning - the last dance of Cristiano Ronaldo could be much closer than they think.