Ronaldo retirement could come after the 2026-27 season, with the Portugal captain saying he wants to leave a “spectacular legacy” after 25 years

Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portugal captain and Al-Nassr forward, has suggested that the 2026-27 season could be his final campaign in professional football, saying on Sunday, 16 August 2026, that he wants to leave a “spectacular legacy”.

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Ronaldo made the comments in an interview with Vogue following his recent marriage to Georgina Rodríguez, offering one of his clearest indications yet that his extraordinary playing career may be approaching its final chapter.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo said.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner began the new season on 15 August, but his comments suggest that his focus is increasingly extending beyond the pitch.

Ronaldo said he was already thinking about life after football and the prospect of spending more time with his family.

“I have my future all mapped out,” he said. “I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard.”

The Portugal captain acknowledged that stepping away from football would create a significant change after a career spanning about 25 years.

“Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one,” Ronaldo said.

He added that he wanted to travel more, watch and play padel and enjoy the fruits of years of sacrifice.

“Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”

Ronaldo’s potential retirement would bring an extraordinary career closer to its conclusion.

The forward began his senior career with Sporting Lisbon before moving to Manchester United in 2003. His performances in England established him as one of the world’s leading players and earned him his first Ballon d’Or in 2008.

He subsequently enjoyed a remarkable spell at Real Madrid, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer and won four Champions League titles.

A move to Juventus followed in 2018 before Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2021.

He left Old Trafford again in late 2022 and joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in January 2023.

Ronaldo has continued to score prolifically since moving to Saudi Arabia, extending a goalscoring record that has made him one of the most recognisable figures in the history of the sport.

His international career has been equally significant.

Ronaldo captained Portugal to victory at the 2016 European Championship and helped the country win the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019.

He also represented Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, adding another major chapter to a career that has stretched across six World Cup tournaments.

The striker has scored more than 900 senior goals for club and country, a landmark that underlines the remarkable longevity of his career.

Away from football, Ronaldo has also entered a new stage of his personal life.

Ronaldo and Rodríguez married in an intimate ceremony at their home in Cascais, Portugal, on 11 August, exactly 10 years after the couple first met.

The couple told Vogue that they were looking forward to spending more time together and with their children.

Ronaldo’s comments suggest that retirement is not something he views simply as the loss of football. Instead, he appears to see it as a transition towards a different life, with family, travel and personal interests taking a greater role.

There is still a full season ahead, however, and Ronaldo has not announced a definitive retirement date.

His use of the phrase “probably my last year” leaves room for the possibility that his plans could change, particularly if he remains physically capable of competing at the highest level.

For now, supporters are left with the prospect that one of football’s most extraordinary careers may have entered its final season.

Whatever happens next, Ronaldo’s legacy is already secure: more than two decades of goals, trophies, records and unforgettable moments have established him among the game’s greatest players.

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The coming months could therefore become a farewell tour of sorts, as Ronaldo attempts to add another chapter to a career defined by ambition, longevity and an almost relentless pursuit of excellence.