Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested that the current season could be his final one as a professional footballer, offering his clearest signal yet that a storied 25-year career may be drawing to a close.

Speaking to Vogue in an interview tied to his wedding — he married partner Georgina Rodriguez on Tuesday — the 41-year-old said: "This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy."

Ronaldo painted a picture of life after the game, describing plans to travel more, play padel, and spend time with his family. "I have my future all mapped out," he said. "Football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one."

He also reflected on the sacrifices made across his career. "After all it's been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice," he added.

A record-breaking legacy

Few careers have matched Ronaldo's in terms of sheer achievement. The Portugal captain has claimed five Ballon d'Or awards and five UEFA Champions League titles, winning league championships in England, Spain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia along the way. He remains the all-time top goalscorer in men's international football and sits just 24 goals short of 1,000 senior career goals.

Ronaldo has spent nearly four years at Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr, where he has one year left on his current contract. He was absent from their league-opening victory over Al Fateh on Saturday, watching from the stands alongside his family.

Messi also contemplating the future

Ronaldo's hint at retirement comes just days after long-time rival Lionel Messi — an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner — also expressed uncertainty about how much longer he would continue playing.

The two icons' most recent World Cup experiences diverged sharply: Messi scored eight goals and steered Argentina to the final, while Ronaldo's Portugal exited at the round of 16. When asked in July whether a sixth World Cup would be his last, Ronaldo said he would make that decision "with a calm head" in consultation with his family.