Cristiano Ronaldo hints at final season, reveals the sport he’ll practice after retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo opened up about what could be the final chapter of his professional career in a wide-ranging interview with Vogue. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward didn’t rule out that this campaign with Al Nassr could be his last as a professional. “This is probably my last year of football,” he told the magazine, adding that he wants to leave behind a legacy fitting of his career.

Asked about life after football, Ronaldo made clear he already has a plan in place, and that padel will be a central part of it. “I have my future all mapped out… 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 said.

None of it means Ronaldo is walking away just yet. He missed Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Fateh on August 15 and also sat out their King’s Cup debut against Al-Diriyah, as he continues working his way back into match fitness after his wedding with Georgina Rodriguez.

He’s expected to return for Al Nassr’s Matchday 2 clash with Al Riyadh on August 21, as the club looks to defend their title and secure back-to-back championships for the first time in more than 11 years.

On an individual level, he remains just 24 goals shy of becoming the first player in history to reach 1,000 career goals, giving this potential farewell season no shortage of storylines regardless of how it ends.

Ronaldo’s own padel club in Lisbon

Ronaldo is far from the only elite athlete drawn to the sport, but few have invested in it quite like he has. In 2024, he acquired 100% of the shares in the Lisboa Racket Club, a premier complex in the Alvalade neighborhood featuring eight tennis courts, seven padel courts and five squash courts, making him the outright owner of one of Lisbon’s top racket-sports venues.

Ronaldo isn’t the only star who plays padel

Several other big football names have shown a taste for the sport too. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have also been spotted playing padel together in Miami, squaring off in a friendly match that went viral after Suarez lost a bet tied to it.

Vinicius Junior has had a padel court installed at his own home, where he regularly plays with several Real Madrid teammates, and former Dutch international Arjen Robben has gone as far as competing in padel professionally since hanging up his boots.