'Shock Bomb Declaration' Ronaldo Officializes Retirement Process: "This Year Will Be My Last as a Player... Challenging Racket Sports" — Ending 25-Year Career

*This content was translated by AI.

Cristiano Ronaldo (41) is expected to put an end to his 25-year playing career by the end of this year.

The U.S. fashion magazine 'Vogue' released an interview with Ronaldo on the 16th (Korean time), shortly after he held a private wedding ceremony with Georgina Rodriguez. Ronaldo stated, "This year will likely be my last as a football player," marking the first time he has specifically mentioned his retirement timeline.

Ronaldo also outlined clear plans for life after retirement. He said, "I want to leave behind an impressive legacy. I have already made all my future plans." He added, "There are so many things I need to do that it's hard to pick just one." He further explained, "Once my football career ends, a huge void may appear, so I won't be able to focus on just one thing; I'll need to fill my time in various ways." In particular, he highlighted racket sports as part of his post-retirement plans, stating, "I really want to watch and play padel, which is a sport I truly love."

He also expressed anticipation for daily life with his family. Ronaldo said, "I want to spend more joyful times and travel even more," emphasizing, "I want to continue enjoying what my family and I have achieved over the past 25 years. After all, we spent those 25 years making many sacrifices."

Regarding his recent wedding announcement, he remarked, "The fact that we are now a married couple means entering an entirely different dimension of life," signaling that he has begun a new chapter in his life.

Ronaldo's recent comments stand in contrast to his previous avoidance of specific remarks about his retirement timeline. Shortly after Portugal was eliminated from the Round of 16 at the upcoming 2026 North American World Cup, his older sister Katia stated, "I understand this is the last dance. It doesn't mean he's retiring today, but it will happen soon." At that time, Ronaldo avoided giving a definitive answer.

At that moment, he had drawn a clear line by saying, "I haven't made a decision yet. What matters to me now is enjoying the present and supporting the national team. Whether we win or lose in the tournament, I plan to consult with my family later and make the most appropriate decision." However, in this interview, he himself referred to it as his "last," initiating the formal process of concluding his active playing career.

Having debuted at Sporting CP and played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and others, Ronaldo has left an indelible mark on football history with five Ballon d'Or awards, UEFA Champions League (UCL) titles, and European Championship victories.

With a career total of 976 goals including the North American World Cup, attention is focused on whether he can cap his career by achieving the unprecedented milestone of 1,000 goals this season — the final chapter of his playing days.

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*This content was translated by AI.