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Ronaldo Hints at Retirement After 25-Year Career

BBC Sport Football •
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Cristiano Ronaldo says this season is likely his last as a player after a glittering 25-year career. The 41-year-old married his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, and is planning a future focused on family. A five-time Ballon d'Or and five-time Champions League winner, Ronaldo has won league titles in England, Spain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia, and is the all-time top scorer in men's international football. He has one year left on his contract with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr.

"This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy," Ronaldo told Vogue. He added he has his future mapped out with plans to have more fun, travel, play padel, and enjoy what he and his family have earned.

Ronaldo is 24 goals away from scoring 1,000 senior career goals. His longtime rival Lionel Messi, a record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, also recently expressed uncertainty about how much longer he will continue playing. Their contrasting World Cup campaigns saw Messi lead Argentina to the final while Ronaldo's Portugal exited in the round of 16.

Ronaldo previously said he would decide on his sixth World Cup with a calm head after speaking with his family. Al-Nassr began their title defense against Al Fateh on Saturday, with Ronaldo watching from the stands alongside his family.