Portugal national football team captain Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that the 2026/27 season will probably be his last before retiring from professional football. The 41-year-old forward revealed his plans in statements published on Sunday by American magazine Vogue.
Ronaldo said that this would probably be his final year in football, adding that he was certain he would leave a spectacular legacy when he steps away from competitive sport. The announcement comes as he reaches 24 years and two days of senior career experience, having made his debut for the main team of Portuguese club Sporting CP on August 14, 2002.
The upcoming 2026/27 campaign will mark his 25th season as a senior professional. Over his career, Ronaldo has played for Sporting CP, English club Manchester United, Spanish side Real Madrid, Italian club Juventus, and Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, as well as the Portugal national team. With Portugal, he won one European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles.
He recently competed in his sixth and likely final World Cup with the Portuguese national team, reaching the round of 16 before being eliminated by Spain.
Plans for life after retirement
Addressing his transition away from football, the Portuguese forward noted that he already has his entire future planned out. He explained that because football can leave a major void, it is necessary to fill his time in multiple ways rather than focusing on just one area.
Ronaldo highlighted a range of business ventures that will keep him occupied, including investments in the hotel sector, hair transplant clinics, bottled water, and media outlets.
He added that he intends to travel more, have more fun, and play padel, a sport he said he really loves. Ronaldo reflected that his quarter-century career involved 25 years of great sacrifice, and that he wants to continue enjoying everything he and his teams have achieved.
Personal life and recent events
Ronaldo, who is currently based in Saudi Arabia playing for Riyadh club Al-Nassr, also made headlines regarding his personal life. The forward newly married Georgina Rodríguez in their living room before travelling to the Sanctuary of Fátima, a famous Catholic shrine in Portugal. His mother, Dolores Aveiro, publicly reacted to the wedding.
In addition to his retirement statements and recent marriage, Ronaldo reacted to a social media post from Argentine football star Lionel Messi, sending Messi a huge hug in response.
