Ronaldo tells media: I'll finish when I want, not when you want (0:49)ESPN News Services Aug 16, 2026, 11:16 AM ET. The 41-year-old, whose Al Nassr contract runs until June 2027, has previously said retirement is approaching but never set a definitive timeline. In a Vogue interview published Sunday, he declared: "This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy." He had earlier expected to play one or two more years and said the 2026 World Cup would be his final tournament, though he did not specify an exact retirement date after Portugal's elimination by Spain.

Ronaldo added that he has begun planning life after football, looking forward to family time, travel, padel, and enjoying what he has earned. "I have my future all mapped out," he said, noting many activities beyond football.

He emphasized the need to fill the big hole football will leave, and highlighted his nine‑year spell at Real Madrid, where he scored a club‑record 450 goals in 438 appearances. He also mentioned his five‑Ballon d’Or wins, his career start at Sporting CP, and his nine goals at this summer's World Cup as Portugal reached the round of 16.