Cristiano Ronaldo. (AP Photo) Cristiano Ronaldo has said the 2026-27 season could be the final year of his playing career, offering his clearest indication yet that retirement is approaching.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo told Vogue in an interview published on Sunday. Ronaldo opens up about life after footballRonaldo has previously spoken about retirement without committing to a particular date.

In November, he said he expected to continue playing for “one or two years” and confirmed that the 2026 World Cup would be his final tournament. Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the round of 16 last month.

Ronaldo scored three goals at the tournament and became the first player to score at six different World Cups, finishing his World Cup career with 11 goals from 27 appearances. He was less specific about his overall playing future after Portugal's exit.

His comments to Vogue are the closest he has come to putting a timeframe on it. “I have my future all mapped out,” he said.

“Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. “Because after all it's been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”

A final season with Al Nassr and Portugal still aheadRonaldo remains contracted to Al Nassr until June 2027 and has continued to play for Portugal after the World Cup. He is also 24 senior goals short of reaching 1,000, a milestone he has spoken about wanting to achieve during the latter stages of his career.

Portugal's new manager, Jorge Jesus, described Ronaldo as a “symbol of Portuguese football” after taking the job in July and said he would continue selecting him while the forward remains fit and playing. Ronaldo's three goals at the 2026 World Cup took his international total to 146, the highest in men's international football.

His club career has continued alongside those international records. He began at Sporting CP before moving to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al Nassr.

His most prolific spell came in Madrid, where he scored 450 goals in 438 appearances, becoming the club's all-time leading scorer. The career Ronaldo is preparing to leave behindRonaldo has won five Ballon d' Ors and five Champions League titles, along with league championships in England, Spain and Italy.