Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested the final whistle on his extraordinary football career could come at the end of the season, making the admission while discussing his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez.
The 41-year-old Portugal icon married his long-term partner at their home in Portugal on August 11, a date that also marked 10 years since the couple first met, and reflected on the intimate ceremony in an interview with Vogue.
Yet amid the details of the private celebration, Ronaldo also delivered a major update on his future, indicating that his glittering three-decade journey in the sport is nearing its conclusion.
‘This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,’ Ronaldo said.
‘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.
‘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. Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice.’
Cristiano Ronaldo discussed what comes next for him during a wide-ranging Vogue interview about his wedding
The Portugal superstar married long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez in Portugal on August 11
Earlier this summer, Ronaldo appeared to wave farewell to World Cup football with Portugal’s round-of-16 exit Stateside, but with his home country one of the hosts in 2030, a jaw-dropping final bow at the age of 45 could not have been ruled out entirely.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star has enjoyed a career of rare longevity in elite sport after making his debut for Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon 24 years ago.
Stints in Manchester and the Spanish capital followed, and in his thirties, Ronaldo turned out in Serie A with Juventus before a second spell at United and his eventual move three years ago to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
In a twist of fate, Ronaldo’s revelation comes just days after a similar veiled statement from his greatest rival and nearest contemporary, Lionel Messi.
The 39-year-old Argentina legend has been mourning the tragic passing of his father Jorge, 68 this month, and shared a poignant statement which seemed to hint at his unwillingness to continue playing.
‘I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on,’ Messi wrote in his tribute on social media. ‘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 was among those who replied to the post, writing: ‘A huge hug to you and yours in these tough times, Leo. Much strength.’
After sending Portugal into a state of feverish excitement over where the wedding would be held, Rodriguez explained to Vogue in the same interview that their decision to get married at home stemmed from the family seeing 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…,’ she 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. And now I’m saying: no. I want something intimate, with my partner and our children, at home.’
The couple met 10 years ago in a chance encounter at the Gucci store in Madrid, during Ronaldo’s time at Real
Rodriguez shared with the publication that she had little interest in a splashy wedding due to the permanent good fortune in their lives
After their marriage the couple immediately returned to Saudi Arabia for Ronaldo to take part in Al-Nassr’s pre-season
However, Rodriguez did promise in the interview that they would in the future have a ‘big wedding’ to celebrate with their wider family and friends – but did not elaborate further on their plans.
After meeting at the Gucci store in Madrid for the first time, the couple donned the designer to marry, calling the idea a ‘full circle’ moment.
But while the bride wore a sheer white shirt and skirt, satin shoes teamed with sparkling diamond jewellery from Chopard, Ronaldo opted to sport a comparatively casual cotton suit, t-shirt and loafters.
‘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.’
After the ceremony at home, the family then drove to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, an hour away, where a priest gave them a blessing in a private area of the site of pilgrimage.
