Ronaldo says 2026-27 'will probably' be his final season
Cristiano Ronaldo told Vogue on August 16, 2026 that he expects to retire at the end of the 2026-27 season, saying "This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy." He stopped short of formally announcing his retirement, but the comments were described as his clearest indication yet that he is considering the end of his playing career.
Ronaldo has scored 976 goals in 1,330 games for club and country. Last season at Al Nassr he scored 28 goals in the Saudi Pro League, finishing third in the scoring charts, and found the net 39 times in all competitions. His club career has taken him from Sporting CP to Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus before a second spell at United and a move to Al Nassr in 2023. He has scored 450 goals for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United across his two spells and 138 for Portugal; he has won five Ballon d'Or awards, five Champions League titles and the European Championship with Portugal, and at 41 he remains Portugal's captain and one of Al Nassr's main attacking threats, with his comments coming shortly after his marriage to Georgina Rodriguez in a private ceremony at their home in Cascais, Portugal.
On life after football, Ronaldo said: "I already have my entire future planned. I have so many things to keep me busy that it's difficult to name just one." He added: "Since football can leave a great void, it's necessary to fill the time in various ways, not just one." He also said: "And also to have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really enjoy, and continue to enjoy what I've achieved - what we've achieved," Ronaldo said. "After all, it's been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice."
Ronaldo has previously discussed staying involved in the game off the pitch. "I don't rule out becoming a club owner," Ronaldo said. "It's something I thought about a few years back. I probably would like to own a [football] club. I'm at the end of my career, two to three years maximum." On coaching, he told Portuguese publication NOW: "When I leave the national team, I won't tell anyone in advance and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a very well thought-out one," and added: "I'm not thinking about being a coach of the first team or any team. It doesn't even cross my mind. I've never thought about it. I don't see my future going through that. I see myself doing other things outside of football, but only God knows what the future holds."
For now, Ronaldo's focus remains on the pitch and the 1,000-goal target. He needs 24 more goals to reach the mark. Whether he gets there before retirement is one of the biggest questions hanging over the final stage of his career.
Ronaldo has not put an exact date on his retirement. But if his latest words are anything to go by, the 2026-27 season could be his last.
