Cristiano Ronaldo maps out life after football and eyes ‘great legacy’

Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested he could be approaching the end of his playing career, saying this may be his final year in football and that he wants to leave behind a significant legacy.

The Portugal forward and Al Nassr captain made the comments in an interview with US magazine Vogue, where he discussed his plans for life away from the pitch. Ronaldo said retirement would not represent the end of his sporting life, but rather the beginning of a new stage in which he could devote more time to activities he enjoys.

“I have planned my future completely,” Ronaldo said, explaining that he already had numerous ideas for what he wanted to do after ending his career.

The 40-year-old added that he had so many interests and plans that it was difficult to identify one particular activity that would define his life after football.

“I have many things that will keep me busy, to the point that it is difficult to identify just one,” he said.

Ronaldo also acknowledged that walking away from football would leave a considerable gap in his daily routine. After 25 years at the highest level, he believes he will need several pursuits to occupy the time previously taken up by training, matches and competition.

“Because retiring from football will leave a big void, I have to fill my time with different things, not just one,” said the Al Nassr captain.

Among the activities he is looking forward to is spending more time travelling and enjoying padel, a sport he has previously spoken positively about.

“And I want to enjoy myself more, travel more, watch and play padel, which I love,” Ronaldo said.

The Portugal international reflected on the sacrifices required during his long career and said he wanted to make the most of everything he had achieved. His playing journey has lasted a quarter of a century and brought success at both club and international level, although the interview did not specify when he would retire.

“And I want to continue enjoying what I have achieved and what we have achieved together, because, in the end, it was 25 years full of sacrifices,” he said.

Ronaldo then offered the clearest indication yet that his career could be nearing its conclusion, while stopping short of confirming that he will definitely retire at the end of the current year.

“This could be my last year in football, and I want to leave a great legacy,” he said.

The remarks will fuel speculation about how much longer one of football’s most celebrated players intends to continue. Ronaldo has not announced a retirement date, but his comments suggest he is actively preparing for a future beyond professional football while still seeking to enjoy the final stage of his career.