Credit: Carlos Rodrigues/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Cristiano Ronaldo hinted at retiring from soccer in a recent Vogue interview
- His contract with Al Nassr expires in June 2027
- The soccer legend previously announced that the 2026 World Cup would be his final year taking part in the tournament
Is Cristiano Ronaldo ready to retire from soccer?
The sports legend, 41, hinted at retirement in a Vogue interview published on Sunday, Aug. 16.
“This is probably my last year of [soccer], and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo told the outlet.
Credit: Omar Vega/Getty
Elsewhere during the interview, which took place five days before he and Georgina Rodríguez secretly tied the knot, Ronaldo teased what his life after soccer could look like.
“I have my future all mapped out,” the father of five said. “I have so many things to keep me busy, that to tell you just one thing is hard.”
“Because [soccer] could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned—what we’ve earned,” continued Ronaldo.
He added, “Because after all, it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”
Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr, a Saudi Arabian professional sports club, expires in June 2027.
PEOPLE reached out to Al Nassr on Sunday, Aug. 16, but did not immediately hear back.
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Ronaldo made his senior team debut with Sporting CP in 2002. He went on to play for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
The sports star has been with Al Nassr since 2023.
Ronaldo announced in July that the 2026 World Cup would mark his final year participating in the soccer tournament.
“It’s about enjoying it as much as possible,” he said at the time, per ESPN. “This will be my last World Cup, but let’s hope tomorrow isn’t my last game.”
Ronaldo, who played with the Portuguese national team, continued, “The day will come [when I retire from international soccer]. But I’ll be honest. Whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano will leave with a clear conscience, not 100%, but 1,000%. Because I’ve given everything in [soccer].”
This year’s World Cup marked the athlete’s sixth time playing in the tournament.
Read the original article on People