Cristiano Ronaldo, days after getting married to his longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez, has dropped a clear hint that he is in the final few months of his glorious football career. Ronaldo last played at the 2026 FIFA World Cup where Portugal lost to eventual champions Spain in a round-of-16 clash. The 41-year-old has said this could be “probably my last year” and he wants to leave behind a “spectacular legacy”. If he does call time on his career as indicated, it would bring an end to a remarkable journey that saw Ronaldo become one of the greatest footballers in history.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the winner of five Ballon d’Or awards, has announced 2026 could be his final year as a professional footballer. (Agencies)
Cristiano Ronaldo boasts a brilliant record, having won league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia, besides multiple Champions League titles, the Nations League and the Euros among others. (Agencies)
Cristiano Ronaldo is the leading goal scorer in international football history and needs 24 goals to complete the stunning milestone of 1,000 goals at the senior level. (Agencies)
Cristiano Ronaldo cited the “25 years of sacrifice” he has made to reach where he is today in the world of football. He now wants to spend more time with his family and enjoy the fruits of his labour. (Agencies)
Cristiano Ronaldo began his senior career in 2002 for Sporting CP before moving to Manchester United where he won his first Ballon d’Or. He then joined Real Madrid in 2009 for a record-breaking transfer fee and during his time there, cemented his legacy. He then moved to Juventus, returned to Manchester United before joining Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in 2023. (Agencies)
Though Cristiano Ronaldo has said 2026 could be his last year, his current contract with Al-Nassr runs until June 2027. Should he call time on his career after the end of his contract, there’s plenty of football to come from the football icon. (Agencies)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr is scheduled to play in at least three different tournaments including the Saudi Pro League, King’s Cup and AFC Champions League Elite. And depending on where they finish in the Pro League and King’s Cup, they could feature in a fourth tournament called the Super Cup. (Agencies)
Cristiano Ronaldo, though, didn’t feature in Al-Nassr’s opening match of the Saudi Pro League title defence on August 15 but was present in the stands. (Agencies)
At the international level, if picked, Cristiano Ronaldo could feature in Portugal’s title defence of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League. The tournament starts from 24 September and Portugal are slated to face Wales (September 25 & November 18), Norway (September 28 & October 5) and Denmark (October 2 & November 15).
The 2026-27 Nations League finals (quarter-finals, semi-finals and final) are scheduled to be played between March 25 and June 13 next year. Should Portugal progress to the finals, Cristiano Ronaldo will have a golden chance to bow out with another international trophy. (Agency)
