Cristiano Ronaldo has given his strongest indication yet that he could retire from professional football at the end of the 2026/27 season, saying he wants to leave the game with a “spectacular legacy”.

The 41-year-old Portugal captain made the revelation in an interview with Vogue, admitting that the current campaign could be his final season as a professional footballer after more than two decades at the highest level. Blueprint reports

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

The statement represents a significant shift from his previous comments on retirement, when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner repeatedly insisted that he would decide when to walk away from the sport on his own terms.

Ronaldo begins final chapter

Ronaldo’s current contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr runs until June 2027, meaning his comments point towards the possibility of bringing his illustrious playing career to an end when that deal expires.

The Portuguese forward has already confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup was his final appearance at the tournament, but he had not previously indicated so clearly that his entire professional career could end after the 2026/27 season.

His latest revelation has therefore sparked widespread discussion about the end of one of football’s most remarkable careers.

Ronaldo began his senior professional career with Sporting CP in 2002 before moving to Manchester United, where he established himself as one of the world’s leading players.

He later enjoyed hugely successful spells with Real Madrid and Juventus before joining Al Nassr in 2023.

Chasing 1,000 career goals

Despite his age, Ronaldo remains focused on achieving another extraordinary milestone before hanging up his boots.

He currently has 976 goals for club and country, leaving him just 24 goals short of reaching the 1,000-goal mark.

The milestone has become one of the major targets of the final stage of his career, and Ronaldo is expected to continue playing a central role for Al Nassr during the new Saudi Pro League campaign.

The forward’s continued goalscoring ability has allowed him to remain at the highest level well into his 40s, defying the usual expectations surrounding elite footballers.

‘A lot of sacrifice’

Reflecting on his career, Ronaldo acknowledged the sacrifices required to maintain his extraordinary standards for more than 25 years.

The Portugal star has won five Ballon d’Or awards, five UEFA Champions League titles and numerous domestic trophies across England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia.

He also guided Portugal to their first major international trophy at Euro 2016 and later helped them win another UEFA Nations League title.

However, despite the enormous success, Ronaldo has never won the FIFA World Cup.

His sixth and final World Cup appearance came in 2026, bringing an end to his participation in the competition that had defined the careers of several generations of football’s greatest players.

Planning life after football

Ronaldo also indicated that he has already begun thinking about life away from professional football.

The Portuguese superstar said he plans to enjoy more time travelling, playing padel and pursuing other interests once his playing career comes to an end.

“I have my future all mapped out,” he said, according to reports on the interview.

His comments suggest that while football remains his biggest passion, he is increasingly preparing for a life beyond the pitch.

For a player who has spent virtually his entire adult life training, competing and chasing records, retirement will represent a major change.

A career for the history books

Ronaldo’s potential retirement would mark the end of one of the longest and most decorated careers in modern football.

He has scored hundreds of goals for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al Nassr, while becoming Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and one of the most prolific international players in history.

His rivalry with Lionel Messi also defined an era of football, with the pair dominating individual awards, Champions League football and global headlines for more than a decade.

Although Ronaldo has not formally announced a retirement date, his latest comments have provided the clearest indication yet that the 2026/27 campaign could be his last.

For now, however, the Portuguese icon remains focused on Al Nassr, with one major personal target still within reach.

Twenty-four goals separate Ronaldo from 1,000 career goals, and the legendary forward could have one final season to complete the remarkable feat before calling time on a 25-year professional career.