FUNCHAL, Portugal (Kashmir English): World football star Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that his retirement from professional football is approaching “soon,” saying the decision will be “very difficult” but one he has been preparing for most of his life.
The 40-year-old Al Nassr forward, in an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, said he has been planning for life beyond football since his mid-20s.
“Soon,” Ronaldo said when asked about retirement. “I think I will be prepared. It will be very, very difficult. But I’ve prepared my future since I was 25. Nothing will compare to the adrenaline of scoring a goal, but everything has a beginning and everything has an end.”
The former Manchester United striker further said that he was looking forward to spending more time with his family. “I’m going to have more time for myself, for my family, to raise my kids,” he said.
Ronaldo said he still follows Manchester United’s results closely, despite his second spell there ending on a sour note three years ago.
“I’m sad, because the club is one of the most important in the world and one that I still have in my heart,” Ronaldo said. “They don’t have a structure. I hope that changes because the potential of the club is amazing.”
Manchester United finished 15th last season in one of their worst top-flight campaigns and lowest since relegation in 1973–74.
Ronaldo on his last game
The football great admitted that his final match will likely be an emotional one. “I will probably cry,” he told Piers Morgan. “I’ve been preparing for this since I was 25.”
The Portugal captain also addressed public perceptions of arrogance. “People say I’m arrogant, but I don’t care anymore. I just want to do what I love—enjoy football, training, and competition.”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s matchless legacy
Cristiano Ronaldo began his career with Sporting CP in 2002 and switched to Manchester United in 2003, where he won multiple Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy.
Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid in 2009, where he became the club’s all-time top scorer with 450 goals in 438 outings.
His nine-year spell in Spain included four Champions League titles and several domestic honours. Ronaldo later played for Juventus before joining Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Internationally, the legend holds the record for the most goals in men’s football, scoring 143 goals in 225 appearances for Portugal. He also led his nation to victory in the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 and 2025 UEFA Nations League.
