According to a report by the American entertainment and sports television network ESPN on August 16, Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo revealed in a recent media interview that he has begun planning his career after retirement, with possibly his last season of professional football ahead.
"Ronaldo stated: “This could very well be my last year in professional football. I want to leave a legacy of glorious achievement... After the end of my football career, there will likely be a large void that must be filled in various ways. It is not solely about one thing. I will seek more joy, travel more and explore other things like playing squash. And continue enjoying everything we've achieved."
The 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays for the Riyadh Victory Football Club in the Saudi Professional Football League. He previously admitted that he was nearing the end of his career, but did not set a specific timeline for the end of his professional playing career. In November last year, Ronaldo stated that he expected to continue playing football for “one to two years” and confirmed that the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, United States, and Canada would be his last World Cup.
On July 6, 2026, local time, Ronaldo played in the semifinal of the US-Mexico World Cup.
The 2026-27 season of the Saudi League officially started on August 14th, Beijing time, and will continue until May next year. Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Hilal expires in June 2027. According to ESPN, Ronaldo’s latest statement indicates that this may be his last season in his professional career.
Cristiano Ronaldo announced his marriage to Georgina Rodríguez on social media on August 12th, after getting married in Portugal.
Ronaldo's professional league career began in 2002, when he played for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al Nassr, spanning five different national leagues. In August 2003, Ronaldo made his international debut in a friendly match against Kazakhstan in Portugal. In 2007, Ronaldo was first appointed as the captain of the Portuguese national team.
Over a career that has spanned more than 20 years, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 976 goals for both his national team and clubs, and has won the Ballon d'Or five times. During the 2026 World Cup in North America and Mexico, Ronaldo scored three goals, helping Portugal reach the round of 16. However, in the quarterfinals, Portugal was defeated by Spain with a score of 0-1, marking the end of Ronaldo's World Cup career.
