Cristiano Ronaldo has given his clearest indication yet that he could retire from football at the end of the current season, saying it is “probably my last year.”

The 41-year-old, whose Al Nassr contract runs until June 2027, has previously acknowledged that retirement is approaching but has always stopped short of setting a definitive timeline for the end of his playing career.

However, speaking to Vogue in an interview published Sunday, Ronaldo said: “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.”

Ronaldo had said last November that he expected to continue playing for “one or two years,” while confirming that the 2026 World Cup would be his last. Portugal were eliminated by Spain at the tournament last month, although Ronaldo subsequently declined to specify exactly when he would retire from football.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward has now said he has already begun planning for life after football and is looking forward to spending more time with his family.

“I have my future all mapped out,” Ronaldo added to Vogue. “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.”

Ronaldo’s admission — in an interview that took place five days before his marriage to long-term partner Georgina Rodríguez in Cascais, Portugal — raises the prospect of one of football’s most decorated careers finally drawing to a close.

It comes shortly after longtime rival Lionel Messi also cast doubt over his future in the game. Messi said earlier this week that he was unsure how long he would keep playing following the death of his father, Jorge.

Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, started his career at Sporting CP before representing Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus and, since January 2023, Al Nassr. His nine years in Madrid were the most prolific of his career, yielding a club-record 450 goals in 438 appearances.

Ronaldo scored three goals at this summer’s World Cup as Portugal reached the round of 16.