Ronaldo says current season is ‘probably’ his last

Cristiano Ronaldo has indicated that the current season will likely be his last in professional football, revealing his plans in a Vogue interview published on Sunday alongside his partner Georgina Rodríguez.

"This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy," Ronaldo told Vogue, weeks after Portugal were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup by eventual champions Spain in the round of 16 on July 6 in Arlington, Texas.reuters

A Career Nearing 1,000 Goals

The 41-year-old, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has scored 976 goals for club and country across a career spanning more than two decades. He remains contracted to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League until 2027, though his comments suggest he will not see out the full deal.nytimes+1

Ronaldo said he has planned extensively for life after football. "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."reuters

World Cup Swan Song

Ronaldo confirmed before the tournament that the 2026 World Cup would be his last, and he became the first player to score in six editions of the competition, finishing with 11 goals from 27 World Cup appearances. Portugal's defeat to Spain ended any chance of adding the sport's most coveted trophy to a cabinet that includes five Champions League titles, league titles in England, Spain, and Italy, and the European Championship with Portugal.skysports

His decision also means he will not represent Portugal at the 2030 World Cup, co-hosted by Spain and Morocco.nypost

Life Off the Pitch

The interview came days after Ronaldo married Rodríguez on August 11 in a private ceremony at their home in Cascais, Portugal, attended by their five children. His retirement timeline places him on course to finish his career just 24 goals short of the 1,000-goal milestone — a target he could still reach if he maintains his scoring form through the Saudi Pro League season.nypost+1

His long-time rival Lionel Messi, now 39, has also recently expressed uncertainty about how much longer he will continue playing.nytimes