Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has given his clearest indication yet that he could retire from professional football at the end of the current season.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain said the upcoming year would probably be the final one of his playing career as he looks to end more than two decades at the highest level.
“This is probably my last year of football and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo told Vogue in an interview published on Sunday.
Ronaldo has scored 976 goals for club and country and is now just 24 goals away from reaching the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner began his senior career with Sporting in 2002 before representing Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. He currently plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo said retirement would leave a significant gap in his life but indicated that he plans to spend more time travelling, playing padel and enjoying life away from football.
The Portuguese star holds the all-time record for men’s international goals with 146.
Ronaldo will continue playing for Al-Nassr this season as he pursues the 1,000-goal milestone in what could be the final chapter of his playing career. (Newswire)