Ronaldo: 'Probably My Last Year' in Football
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- Cristiano Ronaldo (41) says this season is likely his last as a player, telling Vogue he wants a family-focused future after 25 years in football — including 'travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like.'
- Ronaldo married partner Georgina Rodriguez on Tuesday — days before the Vogue interview was published — and sits 24 goals shy of 1,000 senior career goals as he contemplates retirement.
- Al-Nassr, where Ronaldo has one year left on his contract after nearly four years, opened their Saudi Pro League title defence with a win over Al Fateh on Saturday; Ronaldo watched from the stands alongside his family.
- Lionel Messi, who holds a record eight Ballon d'Or wins to Ronaldo's five, also recently said he's unsure how much longer he'll keep playing.
- The two rivals' most recent World Cup campaigns diverged sharply: Messi scored eight goals and led Argentina to the final, while Ronaldo's Portugal was eliminated in the round of 16.
Why it matters: Ronaldo retiring 24 goals shy of 1,000 closes the door on the only realistic candidate to reach that milestone. Al-Nassr and the Saudi Pro League lose their marquee marketing asset with one year left on his contract. Messi's parallel uncertainty means both icons of football's defining rivalry near the exit together.
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