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.
"I have my future all mapped out," he added. "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.
"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."
More children and a bigger second wedding have not been ruled out.
He did not address his international future when Portugal were knocked out of the World Cup in July by eventual winners Spain in the last 16, but it now looks unlikely that he will play on for Euro 2028 in the British Isles.
He is already the men's record international scorer with 146 goals. Great rival Lionel Messi, 39 and a World Cup winner unlike Ronaldo, is on 125.
Ronaldo has previously said he would like to score 1,000 career goals. He is on 976 and would have one season in Saudi and possibly a farewell game for Portugal or in the Nations League to top the milestone. His Al-Nassr deal runs until June 2027.
Leave a Comment