Cristiano Ronaldo Hints at Potential Retirement Following This Season

Topline

Portuguese football icon and billionaire Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested that this may be his final professional season, signaling a potential end to a 24-year career that saw him become the world’s highest-paid athlete.

Key Facts

During an extensive interview with Vogue regarding his recent marriage to longtime partner Georgina Rodriguez, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus forward indicated, “this is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.”

The 41-year-old Ronaldo noted that his future plans are “all mapped out,” which include prioritizing leisure, traveling, playing padel, and spending time with his five children.

Ronaldo previously indicated that the recent FIFA World Cup would likely be his final appearance on the global stage. He expressed leaving the tournament with a “clear conscience” following Portugal’s round of 16 defeat against Spain—marking his fifth consecutive World Cup participation without surpassing a fourth-place finish, which he achieved in 2006.

As one of the most decorated footballers in history, Ronaldo has secured five Ballon d’Or awards, captained Portugal to a Euro 2016 victory, and scored nearly 1,000 career goals while playing for some of the world’s most prominent clubs.

Forbes Valuation

Ronaldo’s net worth is estimated at $1.2 billion. For the past four years, the Portuguese star has maintained his status as the world’s highest-paid athlete, earning an estimated $300 million last year. He currently plays for the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr under a contract reportedly valued at $235 million annually. Earlier this year, he became the first athlete to reach $2 billion in lifetime career earnings before taxes and agent fees.

Tangent

Argentine legend Lionel Messi, 39, also recently alluded to retirement in an emotional social media post following the passing of his father. “You asked me to play in this last World Cup so many times and just before it started was when you were at your worst,” Messi wrote in Spanish. He expressed uncertainty about his future in the sport, noting the loss and expressing regret that he could not discuss Argentina’s 1-0 victory over Spain in the final with his father.

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