Cristiano Ronaldo says this season is 'probably my last year of football' after marrying Georgina Rodriguez
Cristiano Ronaldo told Vogue this week that "This is probably my last year of football" as he prepares to focus more on family life after marrying Georgina Rodriguez on Tuesday.
The 41-year-old is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner and five-time Champions League champion who has won league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia and led Portugal to their first major tournament victory at Euro 2016; he is also the all-time top goalscorer in men's international football and has spent almost four years with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.
"This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy," Ronaldo told Vogue in an interview about his wedding.
He added: "I have my future all mapped out. I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard. Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one."
Ronaldo went on to say: "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. Because after all it's been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice."
Last week Lionel Messi said he was unsure how much longer he would continue playing, while the two men's most recent World Cup campaigns differed markedly: Messi scored eight goals and led Argentina to the final, and Portugal exited in the round of 16. When asked in July whether his sixth World Cup would be his last, Ronaldo said he would decide "with a calm head" in a conversation with his family.
Al-Nassr opened their Saudi Pro League title defence against Al Fateh on Saturday; Ronaldo did not play in that match and watched the champions' win from the stands with his family.
Ronaldo grew up in poverty on the island of Madeira and became football's first billionaire player, also becoming one of the most recognisable figures in the sport.
The Portugal captain has one year remaining on his Al-Nassr contract and is 24 goals shy of 1,000 senior career goals.
