Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested that the current campaign could be his last in football, while revealing that he has already made plans for life after retirement.
The Al Nassr captain discussed his future away from the pitch in an interview with US magazine Vogue, explaining that ending his playing career would not mean the end of his involvement with sport or his ambitions. Instead, he sees retirement as the beginning of a new phase in which he can devote more time to a range of activities he enjoys.
“I have planned my future completely,” Ronaldo said.
The Portugal international added that he had so many ideas for the years ahead that it was difficult to identify one particular pursuit that would define his life after football.
“I have many things that will keep me busy, to the extent that it is difficult to choose just one,” he said.
Ronaldo said the end of his playing career would leave a significant gap in his daily routine, making it necessary for him to find several ways to occupy his time rather than focus on a single activity.
“Because retiring from football will leave a big void, I have to fill my time with different things, not just one,” the Al Nassr forward said.
Among the interests he hopes to pursue more actively are travel and padel, a sport he has previously spoken enthusiastically about.
“And I want to enjoy myself more, travel more, watch and play padel, which I love,” Ronaldo said.
His comments reflect a desire to make the most of life beyond the demanding schedule that has defined his career for the past quarter of a century. Ronaldo said he wanted to appreciate the achievements of that period, as well as the collective successes he shared with teammates and the people around him.
“And I want to continue enjoying what I have achieved and what we have achieved together, because in the end, it was 25 years full of sacrifices,” he said.
However, Ronaldo’s clearest indication that his playing career could be approaching its conclusion came when he acknowledged that retirement may be closer than many supporters expect.
“This could be my last year in the world of football, and I want to leave a great legacy,” he said.
The statement raises the possibility that football fans could be witnessing the final stage of Ronaldo’s historic career. The Portuguese forward has not announced a retirement date, but his remarks make clear that he is preparing seriously for the transition and is already considering how he wants to spend his life after competitive football.
Ronaldo also stressed that retirement would not mark the end of his relationship with sport. His plans include travelling more and continuing to enjoy padel, while making time for the interests that have been difficult to prioritise during years dominated by training, matches and competition.
For now, he remains captain of Al Nassr, but his comments have placed renewed focus on how long he intends to continue playing and on the legacy he hopes to leave when his career eventually comes to an end.
