Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he plans to retire “soon”, bringing an end to one of the most extraordinary careers in football history.
Speaking in an emotional interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored, the 40-year-old Al Nassr forward reflected on his decades-long journey, admitting that saying goodbye to the sport he loves will be one of the toughest moments of his life.
When asked when he plans to hang up his boots, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who remains under contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr until 2027, said: “Soon. But I think I will be prepared. It will be tough, of course. It will be difficult? Yes. Probably will cry, yes. I’m an open person. It will be very, very difficult, yes. But Piers, I prepare my future since 25, 26, 27 years old, I prepare my future. So I think I will be capable to support that pressure.”
With 952 career goals to his name and a record-breaking list of accolades that includes multiple UEFA Champions League and Premier League titles, Ronaldo said his next chapter will focus on family, personal growth, and new passions.
“Nothing will be able to compare to the adrenaline that we have for football to score a goal. But everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. I have other passions. I’m going to have more time for me, I’m going to have more time for my family to raise my kids,” he said.
The Al Nassr captain also spoke lovingly about his children, including his eldest, Cristiano Jr., who is following in his father’s footsteps. “I want to follow Cristiano Junior because he’s at an age when kids do stupid things. I was the same. Mateo loves football as well. I want to do more fun things. I love playing Padel with my closest friends. We are getting quite good.”
Ronaldo began his professional career with Sporting Lisbon before achieving global superstardom with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. During his first spell in England, he won three Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and established himself as one of the most exciting talents of his generation.
He later became Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer, helping the Spanish club to four Champions League titles before joining Juventus and eventually moving to Al Nassr in 2022 after his second departure from Manchester United.
Despite now playing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo revealed that he still follows Manchester United’s progress, particularly under their current manager, his former Portugal teammate Ruben Amorim.
“He’s doing his best. What are you going to do? Miracles. Miracles is impossible. He’s not going to do miracles. They have good players but they don’t have, some of them, in mind what Manchester United is,” Ronaldo said.
He added, “Manchester United is still in my heart. I love that club. But we all have to be honest and look for ourselves and say, ‘Listen, they are not in a good path’. So, they need to change, and it’s not only about the coach and players, in my opinion.”
As one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport, Ronaldo’s eventual retirement will mark the end of an era, closing the chapter on a career that has defined modern football for nearly two decades.
