Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, has fueled speculation about his retirement plans after saying that next year will likely be the final year of his football career.
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The 41-year-old Portugal captain is one of the most decorated players in football history, having won major titles with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al Nassr since making his professional debut with Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon in 2002.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has been unable to add a World Cup title to his list of achievements after Portugal were eliminated from this year's tournament, leaving the sport's biggest prize absent from his trophy cabinet.
"Maybe this will be my final season in football, and I want to leave an incredible legacy," Ronaldo told US lifestyle magazine Vogue in an interview published Sunday.
The forward has scored 976 goals for club and country during a career spanning more than two decades.
"I have many things on my mind, so it is difficult to mention just one. Football can leave a huge void, so I need to fill my time in different ways, not just one," he said.
"I will enjoy myself more, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really love, and continue to enjoy what I have achieved and what we have all achieved, because in the end, it has been 25 years full of sacrifices," he added.
Ronaldo will continue playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League this season as he closes in on the milestone of scoring 1,000 career goals.
