RIYADH (AP) 鈥� Cristiano Ronaldo says this Saudi Pro League season is likely to be the last of his professional career.
The 41-year-old superstar鈥檚 contract with Riyadh club Al-Nassr, signed in December 2022, expires next June, and he has told Vogue magazine that another is unlikely.
鈥淭his is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,鈥� Ronaldo said.
The Portugal forward, who has scored 976 career goals, married long-time partner, Georgina Rodriguez, earlier this month.
鈥淚 have my future all mapped out,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard. Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.
鈥淎nd also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I鈥檝e earned 鈥� what we鈥檝e earned. Because after all, it鈥檚 been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.鈥�
The 2026-27 SPL season is Ronaldo鈥檚 25th as a professional. During his career, he has won five Ballon d鈥橭r awards and five UEFA Champions League titles.
Ronaldo鈥檚 28 league goals last season helped Al-Nassr become champion of Saudi Arabia in May to secure his first trophy since arriving in Riyadh, and a first league title for the club since 2019.
After returning from his wedding, he missed Al-Nassr鈥檚 first game of its title defense on Saturday, watching from the sidelines as it opened with a 3-0 win over Al-Fateh.
鈥淐ristiano is here today, and he is always present with us,鈥� Al-Nassr coach Ange Postecoglou said after the game.
Ronaldo could play against Al-Diriyah in the King鈥檚 Cup on Tuesday.
鈥淭he most important thing now is recovery, especially as we have only two days after this match,鈥� former Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest coach Postecoglou said.
Ronaldo鈥檚 comments came days after long-time rival Lionel Messi revealed that, following his father鈥檚 death, he may soon retire.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how to carry on,鈥� Messi, 39, said. 鈥淚 used to just play football, and now I鈥檓 really not sure if I鈥檒l carry on doing it for much longer.鈥�
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