Ronaldo says farewell tour begins: 'This is probably my last year of football'

Cristiano Ronaldo has delivered his clearest retirement hint yet, telling Vogue that the current season will "probably" be his last in football as he prepares to walk away from the game after a 25-year career at the very top.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” the 41-year-old said in an interview with the magazine, speaking just weeks after marrying his long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez.

Ronaldo has dropped retirement hints in previous years, but these comments represent his most explicit indication yet that the end is near. His current contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr runs until June 2027, meaning he is expected to see out his deal before hanging up his boots.

“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 added. “Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I've earned — because, after all, it's been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”

One last chance at 1,000 goals

Ronaldo's comments come as he chases one of football's most iconic landmarks. He has netted 976 official goals in 1,330 appearances — just 24 shy of 1,000 — as he prepares to play his 25th season. He also became the first player to score at six different World Cups this summer in the US, Mexico, and Canada, though Portugal were eliminated in the round of 16 by eventual champions Spain, despite Ronaldo scoring three goals in the tournament.

His international record stands at 146 goals for Portugal, making him the leading scorer in men's international football, and he has also amassed 35 major honours for club and country along the way, including the Ballon d'Or on five occasions.

Portugal future in doubt

The veteran forward is also expected to retire from Portugal duty during the next international break. He had already confirmed before the 2026 World Cup that the tournament would be his final one on the biggest stage and his last in that competition. However, he stated after that match that he would not make any “rash decisions” about his international future.

Tributes to a career spanning eras

Ronaldo began his professional career with Sporting CP in Lisbon 24 years ago, before six years at Manchester United, nine seasons at Real Madrid — where he scored 450 goals in 438 appearances — three seasons at Juventus, a return to Old Trafford, and finally a move to Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in January 2023.

His comments arrive weeks after his great rival Lionel Messi spoke of his own doubts over continuing his playing career “for much longer”. The Argentine follows the Ronaldo-era generation seemingly approaching its finale, with both icons of the modern game considering what comes after football.