Cristiano Ronaldo Suggests Possible Retirement at End of 2026-27 Season
Cristiano Ronaldo has recently shared that the 2026-27 season might be his last in professional football. The 41-year-old star hinted at his potential retirement, stating, “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” during an interview with Vogue.
While he hasn’t officially announced his retirement, Ronaldo’s remarks provide a strong hint that he is considering concluding his remarkable career. The legendary forward still has impressive stats, having scored 976 goals in 1,330 matches for both club and country. He is just 24 goals away from reaching the significant milestone of 1,000.
At Al Nassr, Ronaldo continues to perform well. Last season, he netted 28 goals in the Saudi Pro League, securing the third spot on the scoring leaderboard, and accumulated a total of 39 goals across all competitions. His career journey has taken him from Sporting CP to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, back to Manchester United, and finally, Al Nassr in 2023.
Ronaldo’s goal tally includes 450 goals for Real Madrid, 145 during his two stints at Manchester United, and 138 goals for Portugal. He has garnered five Ballon d’Or awards, clinched five Champions League titles, and celebrated European Championship victory with Portugal. Despite his age, he remains not only Portugal’s captain but also a key player for Al Nassr. However, he is now openly contemplating life after football.
Planning for Life After Football
Ronaldo has expressed that he has thought about how he will spend his time post-retirement. “I already have my entire future planned. I have so many things to keep me busy that it’s difficult to name just one,” he shared. He acknowledges that leaving football behind will create a significant void, and he plans to fill his time in various ways.
Among his future interests, Ronaldo mentioned wanting to travel more and play padel, a sport he enjoys. “I also want to have more fun, travel more, and continue to enjoy what I’ve achieved. After all, it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice,” he said.
His thoughts on retirement coincided with his recent marriage to Georgina Rodriguez, which took place in a private ceremony in Cascais, Portugal.
Future Aspirations Beyond Coaching
Ronaldo has previously mentioned that he would like to stay connected to football after retiring, though coaching does not interest him. He noted that he has considered the idea of owning a football club. “I probably would like to own a club. I’m nearing the end of my career, two to three years maximum,” he stated.
While he contemplates his future, he is clear that coaching is not in his plans. “When I leave the national team, it will be a spontaneous decision, but also a very well-thought-out one. I don’t see my future revolving around coaching. I envision myself pursuing other avenues outside of football, but only God knows what lies ahead.”
For now, Ronaldo remains focused on the field and is eager to reach the 1,000-goal mark. With just 24 goals needed to hit that target, fans are left wondering if he will achieve this milestone before he hangs up his boots. Although he hasn’t set a specific retirement date, his recent statements suggest that the 2026-27 season could mark the end of an incredible chapter in his football career.
