Cristiano Ronaldo has fueled speculation about his retirement plans by suggesting that next year could be his final season in professional football.
The 41-year-old forward, captain of the Portugal national team, is one of the most decorated players in history, having won major honors with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and his current club Al-Nassr since making his professional debut at Sporting in 2002.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner could not add a World Cup title to his collection when Portugal were eliminated from this year's tournament, leaving the sport's biggest prize still missing from his trophy cabinet.
"This is probably my last year in football, and I want to leave a special legacy," Ronaldo told Vogue magazine in an interview published on Sunday.
The forward has scored 976 goals for club and country during a career spanning more than two decades.
"I have a lot of things to keep me busy, so it's hard to talk about just one thing. Because football can leave a huge void, you have to fill the time in different ways, not just one," he said.
"And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel – which I love – and continue to enjoy what I have achieved, what we have achieved. Because after all, it has been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice."
Ronaldo will continue to play for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League this season as he approaches the 1,000-goal milestone in his career.
