‘This is probably my last year of football,’ says Ronaldo
Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that 2026 may be his final year as a professional footballer.
The 41-year-old five Ballon d’Or winner from Portugal told Vogue on Sunday, after marrying his wife Georgina Rodríguez last Tuesday.
Ronaldo said, “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.”
He pointed out that he was “looking forward to spending more time with the family”.
Noting that he has his future “all mapped out” after retirement, Ronaldo stated, “I 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.
“And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned, what we’ve earned. Because, after all, it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star, who made his professional debut with Sporting Lisbon in 2002, has played and scored in a record-breaking sixth World Cup.
With one year left in his contract with the Saudi club, Ronaldo, who has so far scored 976 goals for club and country, is closing in on his aim of reaching 1,000 career goals.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Politics
Eti-Osa council boss pledges improved staff welfare
Eti-Osa LG has reaffirmed its commitment to staff welfare and a conducive working environment to motivate employees to contribute meaningfully to the council’s development.
Politics
Nasarawa electoral commissioner dumps APC for SDP
Samuel Tsebe, a member of the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress with immediate effect.
Education
Nacabs poly boss vows to expel students caught in exam malpractice
The proprietor of Nacabs Polytechnic, Akwanga, Nasarawa, David Abuluya, has vowed to expel any students caught in examination malpractice.
World
Trump govt moves to reinstate human trafficking case against Abrego Garcia
Mr Trump’s administration wants the court to reinstate the human trafficking indictment against Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant at the centre of a wrongful deportation case.
Agriculture
FG restates commitment to food security, job creation
The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling food shortages and high unemployment through agriculture and livestock development.
Health
Zero-dose Emergency: Nigerian mothers get N1,000 per shot incentive to immunise children with six-hour trek to clinic
An economic downturn and the high cost of care for families and newborns could force mothers to skip immunisation shots, especially on days when finances are tight.
