Cristiano Ronaldo says this year is ‘probably’ his last as a footballer

Cristiano Ronaldo believes this year is “probably” his last as a professional footballer, the 41-year-old Portugal captain said in an interview with Vogue magazine published on Sunday.

Ronaldo, who has established his place among football’s all-time greats with more than 950 goals for club and country, had previously spoken of retiring “soon” or within “one or two years”.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” the Al-Nassr forward told Vogue, saying his future after football was “all mapped out”.

“I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard,” he said, listing travel and padel among his favourite activities. “Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.”

Ronaldo married his partner, Georgina Rodríguez, in an intimate ceremony in the Portuguese resort of Cascais on Tuesday. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player told Vogue he wanted to “continue to enjoy what I’ve earned – what we’ve earned. Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”

After being part of the Portugal side which reached the last 16 of the World Cup this summer, Ronaldo is due to link up with Al-Nassr for the new Saudi Pro League season.