Cristiano Ronaldo drops retirement hint in promise to ‘leave spectacular legacy’

By Carl Markham, Press Association

Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested this will be his last year of football and he wants to “leave a spectacular legacy”.

The 41-year-old has one year left on his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, who opened their title defence with a win on Saturday which was watched by the Portugal international from the stands.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo told Vogue in an interview about his recent wedding to Georgina Rodriguez.

“I have my future all mapped out. I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard.

“Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one.

“Have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned – what we’ve earned.

“Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.”

Ronaldo has won the Champions League five times and is also a five-time Ballon d’Or winner. He is 24 short of 1,000 career goals.