Cristiano Ronaldo has spent more than two decades refusing to accept the usual limits of age, but the Portuguese forward is now preparing for a future away from professional football.
In a revealing interview, the Al-Nassr captain said he expects the current campaign to be his final season. The decision has not been formally confirmed, but his language was far more direct than his previous suggestions that retirement was merely approaching.
“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo told Vogue in an interview conducted by Gaby Wood.
Ronaldo stops short of confirming his retirement
The word “probably” leaves Ronaldo some room to reconsider. He has not announced a specific date for his final match, nor has he issued a formal retirement statement.
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However, the timing of his comments is significant. Ronaldo is under contract with Al-Nassr until the end of the 2026/27 season, meaning his current deal provides a natural point at which to end his playing career.
Digi24 reported that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is already considering the consequences of leaving the game, including the considerable gap that football could create in his daily life.
Ronaldo said he has already planned his future and intends to divide his time between family, travel, business interests and padel, a sport he has grown increasingly fond of.
His comments suggest this is not an impulsive reaction to a difficult result or a physical setback. Instead, Ronaldo appears to have reached a point where he can see the conclusion of his career and wants to control how it ends.
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The race to 1,000 goals remains alive
One major objective could still shape Ronaldo’s final season. He is pursuing the unprecedented milestone of 1,000 official senior goals for club and country.
Ronaldo had scored 976 goals when the Vogue interview was published in August. He has since increased that total to 979, according to Gulf News, leaving him 21 short of the landmark.
Reaching 1,000 would provide a fitting conclusion to a career defined by records. Ronaldo is already the leading goalscorer in the history of men’s international football and Real Madrid’s record scorer, while his longevity has allowed him to produce at the highest level across several footballing eras.
The remaining distance is achievable, but not guaranteed. Ronaldo must remain fit and productive throughout the season, while also balancing his minutes for Al-Nassr and Portugal.
His own comments also suggest that the milestone will not automatically extend his career. The forward appears increasingly focused on the legacy of his entire journey rather than a single number.
His final World Cup has already been played
Ronaldo’s retirement admission follows the conclusion of his sixth and final World Cup. Portugal were eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the last 16 of the 2026 tournament, with Ronaldo scoring three times during the competition.
Before that match, he had already confirmed that it would be his final appearance at a World Cup, as described by The Guardian.
That announcement did not necessarily mean an immediate end to his international career. Ronaldo could continue representing Portugal after the tournament, but his latest remarks make it increasingly likely that both his club and international careers are entering their closing months.
He made his senior Portugal debut in 2003 and has since become the most prolific goalscorer in the history of the men’s international game. His career has also taken him from Sporting CP to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and eventually Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo is preparing for life beyond football
Ronaldo’s belief in preparation has shaped his career, and the same approach appears to guide his retirement plans. He has built an extensive business portfolio and now expects to spend more time travelling, playing padel and enjoying life with his family.
The prospect of leaving football still carries an emotional weight. Ronaldo acknowledged that the sport could leave a substantial void after occupying almost every part of his adult life.
For now, he remains an active player with a contract, a new season and 21 goals separating him from one final historic achievement. His retirement is not official, but for the first time, Ronaldo has placed a likely finishing line in public view.
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After 25 years of extraordinary consistency and sacrifice, the final chapter appears to have begun.
