Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he will likely retire from football at the end of the season following his marriage in Portugal.
The 41-year-old superstar admitted he plans to call time on his three-decade career in an interview with Vogue magazine after marrying his long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez at their home on August 11.
"This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy," Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo explained that he has already mapped out his post-retirement future as he looks toward new interests and spending time with his family.
"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," Ronaldo said. "Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one."
"And also 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," he added. "Because after all it's been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice."
Career retrospective and retirement plans
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star has enjoyed a career of rare longevity in elite sports after making his debut for Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon 24 years ago.
Following his early career in Lisbon, Ronaldo completed spells in Manchester and the Spanish capital before moving to Italian Serie A club Juventus in his thirties. He later returned to Manchester United for a second stint prior to joining Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr three years ago.
Earlier this summer, Ronaldo appeared to wave farewell to World Cup football following Portugal's round-of-16 exit in the United States. However, with Portugal serving as one of the host nations for the 2030 World Cup, a potential final appearance at age 45 had not been ruled out entirely.
Intimate wedding ceremony in Portugal
Ronaldo married Rodriguez on August 11, marking the 10-year anniversary of their first meeting. The private ceremony followed intense public interest across Portugal over where the wedding would take place.
Rodriguez told Vogue that the couple chose to marry at home because their family views privacy as the ultimate luxury.
"We've chosen to do it in the living room of our house here where we have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and where we live the reality of our lives...," Rodriguez said. "In 30 years' time I want the children to think, something wonderful happened at this table: the wedding vows of our parents."
"When I was a little girl I dreamt of the biggest castle, the biggest carriage, the longest dress, a crown full of diamonds," she added. "And now I'm saying: no. I want something intimate, with my partner and our children, at home."
Rodriguez shared with the publication that she had little interest in a splashy wedding due to the permanent good fortune in their lives. However, she promised in the interview that they would hold a larger wedding in the future to celebrate with extended family and friends, though she did not elaborate further on their plans.
Designer outfits and religious blessing
The couple met 10 years ago in a chance encounter at the Gucci store in Madrid during Ronaldo's time playing for Real Madrid. They wore outfits from the designer for their wedding, describing it as a full-circle moment.
Rodriguez wore a sheer white shirt and skirt paired with satin shoes and diamond jewellery from Swiss luxury jeweler Chopard. Ronaldo wore a comparatively casual cotton suit, t-shirt and loafers.
"He's not going to dress us up," Rodriguez explained. "I didn't want us to go into a day that was so simple for us in costumes."
Following the ceremony at home, the family drove one hour to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, where a priest delivered a blessing in a private section of the pilgrimage site.
Immediately after their marriage, the couple returned to Saudi Arabia for Ronaldo to join Al-Nassr for pre-season training.
Parallel hint from rival Lionel Messi
Ronaldo's revelation arrived just days after a similar statement from his nearest contemporary and rival, Lionel Messi.
The 39-year-old Argentina legend has been mourning the death of his father Jorge, who would have been 68 this month, and shared a statement on social media hinting at his own doubts about continuing to play.
"I don't know what I'll do without you, I don't know how to go on," Messi wrote in his tribute. "I only played football and now I have serious doubts that I'll continue doing that for much longer. You were by my side from the beginning, it was so close to the end. Why couldn't you hold on that little bit longer and we could have finished together?"
In a show of solidarity, Ronaldo replied to the post, writing: "A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength."
