Ronaldo signals end of playing career as Al-Nassr captain
The 41-year-old, who recently married Georgina Rodriguez, says he has mapped out life after football but remains 24 goals short of a historic milestone.
Cristiano Ronaldo has indicated that the current campaign is likely to be his final year as a professional footballer, casting uncertainty over his future with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr. The 41-year-old Portugal captain, who recently married Georgina Rodriguez, told Vogue that he intends to leave a "spectacular legacy" and shift his focus toward family and future plans outside the sport.
Speaking in an interview published around the time of his wedding, Ronaldo confirmed he has "mapped out" his life after 25 years of professional sacrifice. He outlined intentions to travel, play padel, and enjoy the fruits of his labour, acknowledging that football could leave a significant void that must be filled through various activities rather than a single pursuit.
Ronaldo’s comments come as he sits 24 goals away from reaching 1,000 senior career goals, a milestone that would cement his status as one of the game’s most prolific scorers. His contract with Al-Nassr extends to 2027, yet his recent absence from the squad suggests a transition is already underway. He did not play in Al-Nassr’s recent Saudi Pro League match against Al Fateh, instead watching the victory from the stands with his family.
The Portuguese international’s potential exit follows a period of contrasting fortunes for the world’s top players. While Ronaldo’s Portugal exited the recent World Cup in the round of 16, his long-time rival Lionel Messi led Argentina to the final. Messi has also expressed uncertainty regarding his own playing future, highlighting a broader moment of reflection for the sport’s leading figures.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or and five-time Champions League winner, has spent nearly four years with Al-Nassr after a glittering career in England, Spain, and Italy. When asked previously about his participation in a sixth World Cup, he stated he would decide "with a calm head" after consulting his family, though his recent remarks suggest the end of his playing days may be near.
