Cristiano Ronaldo has indicated that the 2026-27 season could be his final campaign as a professional footballer.
The Portugal captain made the revelation in an interview with Vogue, saying he wants to end his playing career after more than two decades at the highest level.
“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.”
Ronaldo, who is 41, also said his life after football is already planned. He said he wants to travel, play padel and spend more time enjoying life after 25 years of professional football.
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Ronaldo Could Retire At 41
Ronaldo was born on 5 February 1985 and is now 41.
His potential retirement would come after a senior career that began at Sporting CP in Portugal in 2002. He later moved to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr, becoming one of the most recognisable players in football history.
His current Al-Nassr contract runs into 2027, but Ronaldo’s comments suggest he could bring his playing career to an end before completing it.
A 25-Year Professional Career
Ronaldo made his senior debut for Sporting CP before moving to Manchester United in 2003.
At United, he developed into a global star, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.
His move to Real Madrid in 2009 took his career to another level. He became the Spanish club’s all-time leading scorer and won four Champions League titles during his nine-year spell.
Ronaldo then played for Juventus from 2018 to 2021 before returning to Manchester United for a second spell.
He joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 and has remained in Saudi Arabia since then.
He Has Played In Five Top-Flight Leagues
Ronaldo has played senior league football in five different top-flight leagues.
They are Portugal’s Primeira Liga with Sporting CP, the English Premier League with Manchester United, Spain’s La Liga with Real Madrid, Italy’s Serie A with Juventus and the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr.
His move to Saudi Arabia added a fourth country in which he has won a league title. In May 2026, he helped Al-Nassr win the Saudi Pro League for the first time in his career.
34 Official Trophies
Ronaldo has won 34 official team trophies during his career, according to records updated after Al-Nassr’s 2025-26 Saudi Pro League triumph.
His collection includes five Champions League titles, seven league titles before the Saudi championship and major domestic cups in England, Spain and Italy.
With Portugal, he won Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League.
The Saudi Pro League title became his first major trophy with Al-Nassr and took his official team trophy tally to 34.
Five Ballon d’Or Awards And 976 Goals
Ronaldo has also won the Ballon d’Or five times, with his awards coming in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.
He has scored 976 goals for club and country, according to Reuters, leaving him just 24 goals short of the 1,000-goal milestone.
He has also won the European Championship with Portugal and two Nations League titles.
