CORNERFLICK
Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken more openly than ever before about the end of his professional career—comments that could be a sign that one of the greatest stars in football history is approaching the final season of his playing career.
Ronaldo said that the current season will “probably be the last season of his professional career.” Although the Portuguese forward has not announced a specific retirement date, the tone of his comments suggests that this decision is no longer a distant possibility.
Ronaldo said: “I want to leave an incredible legacy behind me. All my future plans are already mapped out. I have a lot of things to do, and it’s difficult to choose just one.”
He also admitted that after nearly two decades of living at the highest level of football, he would like to devote more time to his personal life—from traveling and enjoying himself to watching sports and playing padel.
Ronaldo has dedicated 25 years of his life to football, and now, for the first time, he is seriously talking about life after football.
The End of an Era—but Not Necessarily Today
Ronaldo has spoken about retirement several times in recent years, but he has always stressed that the final decision must be his own.
He previously said: “I’ll retire from football when I want to, not when you want me to.”
That stance remains unchanged. Ronaldo has still not officially announced when he will hang up his boots, and his final decision could depend on his physical condition, his performances, and, of course, the goal he has been pursuing for years: reaching 1,000 official goals.
At present, Ronaldo has 976 goals to his name, meaning he is just 24 goals away from reaching the historic milestone of 1,000.
That record could be one of the main reasons for him to continue playing.
1,000 Goals: Ronaldo’s Final Mission?
Throughout his professional career, Ronaldo has achieved almost every major individual and team honor. Winning league titles in different countries, the UEFA Champions League, the European Championship with Portugal, and the Ballon d’Or are just some of the highlights of his extraordinary career. But reaching 1,000 goals would be an achievement of an entirely different magnitude.
If Ronaldo decides to continue playing until the end of the season, reaching this historic figure appears entirely achievable. However, if reports about his final match taking place in September are accurate, reaching the milestone will become much more difficult.
According to a claim by journalist Mohammad Awad, Ronaldo’s final game could take place on September 24, when Portugal face Wales at Lisbon’s José Alvalade Stadium. However, this claim does not constitute an official announcement of Ronaldo’s retirement.
Will Ronaldo Make It to Another World Cup?
One of the biggest questions surrounding Ronaldo’s future is whether he will continue playing for the Portugal national team.
With Jorge Jesus, the new head coach of the Portugal national team, having previously worked with Ronaldo at Al Nassr, the debate over the forward’s continued involvement with the national team has resurfaced.
Some fans are even hoping that Ronaldo can play for Portugal one final time at the 2030 World Cup, part of which will be hosted in Portugal.
Jesus has also taken a positive stance on Ronaldo’s role with the national team, describing him as a symbol of Portuguese football. However, if Ronaldo genuinely retires from football in the coming months, appearing at the 2030 World Cup will no longer be possible.
A Legacy That Will Never Be Repeated
At 41, Ronaldo is still playing professional football, an achievement that alone demonstrates the extraordinary nature of his career. But perhaps Ronaldo’s greatest legacy will not be defined solely by the number of trophies or Ballon d’Or awards he has won. He is one of the few players to have remained at the highest level for more than two decades and to have influenced multiple generations of football.
Nevertheless, the 1,000-goal milestone could mark the final chapter of this historic story.
Ronaldo needs just 24 more goals to reach the figure. If he continues playing until the end of the season, he will have enough opportunities to reach this historic milestone. But if his decision to retire early becomes final, football may never witness one of the greatest goalscorers in history reach such a remarkable number.
In any case, one undeniable reality remains: Cristiano Ronaldo’s era is approaching its final chapters.
And when the day of his retirement finally arrives, football will not simply lose a star—it will lose one of the greatest figures in its history.