Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that this year could be his last as a professional footballer, bringing to a close to one of the most successful careers in the history of the sport.
In an interview with Vogue magazine that was largely about his wedding, Ronaldo said “this is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” adding that 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,” he explained.
Ronaldo married his longstanding partner Georgina Rodriguez in a ceremony in the Portuguese resort of Cascais last Tuesday.
He 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”, referring to his career.
A glittering career full of highs
Widely considered one of the best football players in the world in his prime, the 41-year-old Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or and the Champions league five times each.
He has won the league in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia, and is the all-time top goalscorer in men’s international football.
At the international level, he captained Portugal to a UEFA European Championship triumph in 2016.
With 976 goals for club and country, he is now just 24 shy of 1,000 senior career goals.
He currently plays his club football at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, where he has one year remaining on his contract.
Additional sources • AFP