Ronaldo tells fashion magazine this year could be his last as a professional footballer
Ronaldo Tells Fashion Magazine This Could Be His Last Year
Poinews.com – In a wide-ranging interview with Vogue, Cristiano Ronaldo tells fashion magazine this season may represent the final chapter of one of the most decorated careers in football history. Speaking primarily about his recent wedding to longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez, the 41-year-old Portuguese forward revealed that he views the current campaign as potentially his last on a professional pitch. "This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy," he told the publication, going on to describe his post-playing ambitions as already "all mapped out." The comments mark one of the most direct signals yet from a player who has spent more than two decades at the very summit of the sport.
A Career Built on Records and Relentless Sacrifice
Ronaldo's remarks arrive against the backdrop of 25 years competing at the elite level — a span that has yielded more trophies, goals, and statistical milestones than virtually any player before him. He has claimed the Ballon d'Or five times and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy on five separate occasions, feats that place him in an exclusive tier of all-time achievement. Domestic league titles in England, Spain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia complete a club record spanning four continents of top-flight competition. On the international stage, he captained Portugal to UEFA European Championship triumph in 2016 and stands as the all-time leading goalscorer in men's international football, a distinction that underscores the sheer volume of his output across more than two decades of senior caps.
"Because after all it's been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice," Ronaldo told Vogue, reflecting on the decades of discipline, travel, and physical toll that constructed his legacy.
The forward currently represents Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia's Pro League, where one year remains on his existing contract. With 976 senior career goals already banked for club and country combined, he sits just 24 short of the symbolic 1,000-goal threshold — a figure that would further entrench his position atop football's all-time scoring charts and provide a fitting numerical capstone to what has been an unprecedented run of productivity.
Life Beyond the Final Whistle
Ronaldo made clear that stepping away from competitive football will not leave him without purpose. Travel and padel topped his list of post-career passions, though he cautioned against anchoring his future to any single pursuit. "Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one," he explained, framing the transition as a matter of deliberate design rather than drift. He added that he intends to "continue to enjoy what I've earned — what we've earned," casting the next phase of life as a hard-won reward rather than an empty void.
The interview came days after his wedding ceremony in Cascais, a coastal resort south of Lisbon, where he exchanged vows with Georgina Rodriguez. The union capped a period of personal milestones that now runs parallel to what may be his final competitive season, lending additional emotional weight to his reflections on legacy and closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Ronaldo currently play club football? He is contracted to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. As of this report, one year remains on his existing deal, meaning the current season could indeed be his last professional campaign.
How close is he to reaching 1,000 career goals? At the time of the Vogue interview, Ronaldo had scored 976 senior goals for club and country combined, leaving him exactly 24 away from the landmark total. Reaching that figure would further solidify his standing as football's most prolific scorer across all levels.
What did he say about his plans after football? He described them as "all mapped out," naming travel and padel among his top priorities while stressing the importance of diversifying how he spends his time once competitive football ends. His language suggests a structured transition rather than an abrupt stop.
When and where did he marry Georgina Rodriguez? The ceremony took place last Tuesday in Cascais, Portugal. The wedding was the primary subject of the Vogue interview in which he made his career-closing remarks.
What major international honour does Ronaldo hold? He captained Portugal to victory at UEFA Euro 2016 and remains the all-time top goalscorer in men's international football, records that anchor his status as one of the sport's most decorated ever.