One of the greatest footballers the world has ever season maybe signing out of the sports.
Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he could retire from professional football at the end of the current season, bringing a possible close to one of the most decorated careers in the history of the sport.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain made the revelation in an interview with Vogue shortly after marrying his longtime partner, Georgina Rodríguez.
Ronaldo, who has spent nearly four years with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr, has one year left on his current contract. He said he was already planning for a future that would revolve more around family and interests outside football.
“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 has enjoyed a trophy-laden career, winning domestic league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia, as well as five Champions League titles with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
He is also the leading goalscorer in men’s international football and is just 24 goals away from reaching 1,000 senior career goals.
Ronaldo acknowledged that walking away from football would leave a significant gap in his life after spending 25 years competing at the highest level.
“I have my future all mapped out. I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard,” he said.
He added that he hoped to travel more, spend time with his family, play and watch padel and enjoy the rewards of a career built on years of sacrifice.
“Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice,” Ronaldo said.
The possibility of Ronaldo’s retirement comes at a time when his longtime rival Lionel Messi is also contemplating his future. The Argentine, who has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, recently admitted he was unsure how much longer he would continue playing.
The two legends had contrasting fortunes at the latest World Cup, with Messi scoring eight goals as Argentina reached the final, while Ronaldo’s Portugal were eliminated in the round of 16.
If Ronaldo does retire after the season, his final months could provide one last opportunity to reach the 1,000-goal landmark and add another remarkable chapter to an already extraordinary career.
