Ronaldo hints 2026-27 season will be his last after 25 years in football

Cristiano Ronaldo has indicated that the 2026-27 season will be his last in professional football, telling Vogue magazine he has his future “all mapped out” and is ready to step away from the game after 25 years.

The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward, who broke through at Sporting CP in 2002, said he is not leaving because his abilities are fading but because he has a wealth of other ambitions to pursue. “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo told the publication.

“I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard,” he continued. “Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. Have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned — what we’ve earned — because after all, it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”

The Portuguese forward’s career has produced one of the most decorated records in the sport’s history. His honours include five UEFA Champions League titles, nine league championships accumulated across spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr, and a UEFA European Championship winners’ medal with Portugal at Euro 2016.

Ronaldo has yet to feature for Al-Nassr this season after spending the summer at the World Cup with Portugal before getting married, leaving him without a full pre-season. He was absent from the club’s 3-0 opening-day victory over Al-Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.