Cristiano Ronaldo drops bombshell retirement plan as football icon admits ‘I have my future all mapped out’

CRISTIANO RONALDO has confirmed that this is likely to be the final season of his career. And the Portuguese veteran, 41, adds that he has his life post-retirement “all mapped out”. Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to retire after one more season Credit: Getty Ronaldo, 41, recently married long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez Credit: Instagram @cristiano Ronaldo wed long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez on August 11, marking the 10th anniversary of the day they met at a Madrid Gucci store in style. Speaking to Vogue ahead of his wedding day, the former Manchester United star said: “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy.” Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Ronaldo then enthused about life after the beautiful game. The forward said: “I have my future all mapped out. 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 has played for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia since leaving Man Utd in late 2021. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Ronaldo has enjoyed a glittering career in football Credit: Reuters The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is closing in on 1,000 career goals – potentially a final landmark to achieve. Ronaldo is on 976 strikes going into the season; 830 for his various club sides and a staggering 146 for his country. The football superstar has five children; Cristiano Jr, 16, twins Eva Maria and Mateo, nine, Alana Martina, eight, and Bella Esmeralda, four. Bella’s twin Angel tragically died during childbirth in April 2022. Just days after marrying Georgina, Ronaldo returned to Riyadh to report for the new season. The ex-Real Madrid star turned up to training in his wedding ring, and was congratulated by new boss Ange Postecoglou. Ronaldo watched from the stands alongside his family as Al-Nassr beat Al-Fateh 3-0 on Saturday. It remains to be seen whether he will be in contention to play against Diriyah in the Kings Cup of Champions on Tuesday. Ronaldo watched Al-Nassr on Saturday alongside his family Credit: AFP The veteran wore his wedding ring as he returned to Al-Nassr training Credit: X @AlNassrFC Ronaldo began his career at Sporting CP and debuted all the way back in 2002. The Madeira-born superstar signed for Man Utd in August 2003 for £12million and embarked on his glittering first spell at Old Trafford. Under Sir Alex Ferguson he rose to superstardom, winning three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Champions League with the Red Devils. After winning his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid the following summer in a then-world record £80m deal. Nine extraordinary years at the Bernabeu followed; Ronaldo scoring a scarcely believable 450 goals in 438 games and picking up two LaLiga titles, two Copas del Rey and a further four Champions Leagues. Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018 and spent three seasons in Italy before completing his emotional return to Old Trafford five years ago. Ronaldo has enjoyed a stunning career at the top of the game Credit: AFP Georgina has been by Cristano’s side for a decade Credit: AP The goal machine scored 24 times in his first season back at United but left the following December amid his feud with then-boss Erik ten Hag and an extraordinary interview with Piers Morgan. Since moving to Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has played 142 times – scoring 123 goals and adding a further two trophies. Ronaldo has earned an astonishing 233 international caps and remains Portugal‘s captain. He has represented his country at TWELVE major tournaments. And his crowning moment came at Euro 2016, as his side defeated France to lift major silverware. A teenage Ronaldo first joined Man Utd in 2003 Credit: Getty CR7 starred for the Red Devils for six years before joining Real Madrid Credit: Getty The Portuguese icon won the Champions League four times with Real Madrid Credit: Getty Ronaldo spent three seasons at Juventus between 2018 and 2021 Credit: Alamy The United legend returned to Old Trafford to much fanfare in 2021 Credit: AP The Al-Nassr star is nearing 1,000 career goals Credit: EPA Comment now