Cristiano Ronaldo has dedicated most of his adult life to pursuing goals, trophies, and records, which is why it is no surprise talks of retirement have been going around. Now at 41, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is starting to talk about life after football. In a recent interview with Vogue, Ronaldo said the 2026-27 season will “probably” be his last as a professional player. This is his clearest sign yet that his legendary career is nearing its end.
The timing of this news is interesting. Ronaldo has just started another season with Al-Nassr, after playing for clubs like Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now in Saudi Arabia. He has won five Ballon d’Or awards, many major trophies, and scored 976 goals for club and country, according to reports. Still, instead of sounding unsure about the future, Ronaldo says he already knows what he wants to do after football.
Cristiano Ronaldo Retirement: Wants to Leave Football on His Own Terms
View this post on Instagram
For a player whose career has been defined by relentless ambition, retirement could seem almost impossible to imagine. Ronaldo knows that too. “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” he told Vogue.
By saying “probably,” Ronaldo leaves some room for change, but his message is clear. He is not treating retirement as a far-off idea anymore. He is getting ready for it. His contract with Al-Nassr ends in 2027, so his comments match up with the end of his deal. This would close a professional career that has lasted about 25 years.
Ronaldo’s focus now appears to be less on extending his career indefinitely and more on deciding how he wants to be remembered. That distinction matters. His legacy is already enormous, but the Portuguese star has never been someone content to look backward. Even as retirement approaches, there is still the possibility of another milestone, another record, and another season in which he can add to the numbers that have defined his career.
Life After Football Is Already Taking Shape
Cristiano Ronaldo says he will “probably” retire from football when his Al Nassr contract expires next summer, adding he plans to have “more fun”.
The 41-year-old, who is just 24 goals shy of reaching 1,000 throughout the entirety of his senior career, said in November 2025 that…
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) August 16, 2026
Interestingly, Ronaldo does not appear worried about what retirement might leave behind. He acknowledged that football could create a major void once it disappears from his daily routine. His solution is not to replace it with one single pursuit, but to build a life around several interests. “I have my future all mapped out,” Ronaldo said.
He looks forward to spending more time with his family, traveling, and playing padel. He also mentioned that he will keep watching and playing football, so his connection to the sport will likely continue after he retires. These comments came during an interview about his marriage to Georgina Rodríguez. The couple recently had a small wedding at their home in Portugal with their five children.
For Ronaldo, then, retirement may represent less of an ending than a change in priorities. After years of sacrificing holidays, family time, and ordinary routines for football, he appears ready to enjoy some of what the career made possible. “I want to leave a spectacular legacy” may ultimately prove to be the defining line of this stage of Ronaldo’s career. He has already built one of football’s most extraordinary résumés. Now, he seems determined to decide exactly how the final chapter reads.
Featured image: Al Nassr
