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Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he could retire from professional football after the current season, saying he wants to leave behind an “extraordinary legacy” before ending his illustrious career.
The Portugal legend made the remarks in an interview with US magazine Vogue, fuelling fresh speculation about when he will finally hang up his boots.
“This could perhaps be my last year in football. I want to leave an extraordinary legacy,” Ronaldo said.
The 41-year-old forward also revealed that he has already made plans for life after football and expects to keep himself busy with a range of activities.
“I have plans for the future. There will be so many things for me to do that will keep me busy. So it is really difficult to focus on just one thing,” he said.
Ronaldo said retirement would create a major void in his life after 25 years of professional football, and he would need to pursue several interests to fill that gap.
“When I retire from football, there will be a huge void. To fill it, I will need to be involved in not just one thing, but many different activities,” he added.
The Portuguese superstar said he also wants to enjoy life more after retirement, including travelling and spending more time appreciating what he and his teams have achieved throughout his career.
“I want to enjoy life more and travel more. I want to enjoy what I and we have achieved, because in the end it was a story of 25 years of extreme sacrifice,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo’s comments have renewed debate over the future of one of football’s greatest-ever players. The Portugal captain has enjoyed a career spanning more than two decades, winning major domestic and international honours and establishing himself as one of the sport’s most prolific goalscorers.
While Ronaldo has now offered his clearest indication yet that retirement could be approaching, Lionel Messi has not made a similar announcement. The Argentine star has instead returned to the pitch after taking time to cope with the death of his father.
The contrasting situations of the two football icons are likely to keep attention firmly focused on their next steps as both approach the later stages of their extraordinary careers.
