With 234 caps, a record 146 goals and the leadership that took Portugal to their only major tournament title, Cristiano Ronaldo’s pedigree is undeniable. That’s without even considering his club career, which will indubitably fill a library. It’s why many believe he’d be the perfect man to become a head coach, especially for Portugal. Ronaldo, though, once said, “I don’t want to be a football coach,” while in the same breath leaving the door open to changing his mind. Now, one journalist close to him has a straightforward answer on whether that will happen.

After all, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and serial Champions League winner has far greater goals. Portuguese journalist Pedro Sepulveda, who explained the timing of Ronaldo’s retirement, has now shared what he believes the 41-year-old plans to do once he hangs up his boots for good.

“Well, off the record, I’ve already heard conversations about that possibility with Ronaldo. Ronaldo has always said that he doesn’t see himself as a coach. I think he’ll enjoy his life after football in completely different industries, far removed from the game,” Pedro Sepulveda said on Talksport.

Weeks of tension with Jorge Jesus likely triggered the retirement after Ronaldo left camp, received a 30-day sanction and a €255 fine. After his retirement, Portuguese journalist Pedro Sepulveda said Jesus expected to call Ronaldo up, but the superstar believed that a return was no longer possible. Sepulveda reported Ronaldo sees himself more as a club owner than in any on-field role.

For now, international retirement is not retirement from playing, and he remains under contract with Al-Nassr until 2027. Ronaldo has repeatedly suggested that coaching would not suit his personality, preferring the freedom to make decisions and build something himself. 

“If I can be a club owner, why would I be a manager, sporting director or CEO?” Ronaldo said in an interview with Portuguese television channel Canal 11 in 2025. “This is my dream and I’m sure I’ll get there. I’ll even say more: I hope to not only have one club but to own several clubs.”

That’s not something new; in fact, a year prior, in 2024, Ronaldo told Rio Ferdinand that one of the main reasons he wants to own clubs rather than coach them is the new generation. 

“For me it will be difficult one day to be a coach, because I don’t have passions for this generation,” Ronaldo said on Rio Ferdinand Presents. “It’s difficult, especially in football, because they don’t take advice by our experience. They think they know everything, they think the phones will give you good education, TikTok, Instagram.”

It’s likely why his interest isn’t limited to owning a badge, watching matches, or lending his name to a project. Instead, Cristiano Ronaldo’s mind is more attuned to how to run a club without affecting the football they play on the field. It’s why he used Manchester United as an example in 2024, arguing, with a rather strong metaphor, how he would do things.

“I said this one and a half years ago, and I will continue to say it: the problem is not the coaches. It’s like an aquarium. If you have the fish inside and he’s sick and you take him out and you fix the problem and you put him again in an aquarium, they will be sick again,” Ronaldo explained in 2024, at the Globe Soccer Awards.

“The problem of Manchester United is the same. The problem is not always the coach. It’s much more than that. If I will be the owner of the club, I will make things clear and adjust what I think is bad there.”

And it’s clear that Cristiano Ronaldo has already taken steps to build his life outside football. His CR7 ventures include clothing, fragrances, hotels through Pestana, fitness, wellness and hair-transplant businesses. In February 2026, he also acquired a 25% stake in UD Almería through CR7 Sports Investments. 

Ronaldo called it a long-held ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch, and said he wanted to support its growth. The Almería stake signals Ronaldo’s shift toward ownership, a first step in his post-playing career. So for now, the answer to the question that has followed him around looks like a no. 

So if Portugal is waiting for Ronaldo to take over the touchline one day, it could be a long wait. He wants to own clubs, not manage them. But whatever he builds off the pitch, what he did on it won’t go away.

The legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo that won’t go away ever

Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from Portugal on November 5, ending a 23-year international career. He leaves with 234 appearances and 146 goals, both records in men’s international football. João Moutinho’s 146 caps rank second, while Pedro Pauleta’s 47 goals trail Ronaldo’s scoring record. He began as an 18-year-old debutant and ended as Portugal’s most decorated international. Without a farewell match, his final appearance had passed before retirement was officially announced.

That journey began on August 20, 2003, when Luiz Felipe Scolari introduced him against Kazakhstan. Ronaldo entered at half-time in Chaves, where Simão Sabrosa’s goal secured Portugal a 1-0 victory. At Euro 2004, Ronaldo scored against Greece in Portugal’s opening 2-1 defeat, before Greece won 1-0 in the final. The teenager helped Portugal reach the final, but watched Greece celebrate the trophy instead.

Ronaldo kept returning, eventually appearing at 6 World Cups and 6 European Championships. He also scored at all 6 World Cups, becoming the first to score across six editions. His 11 World Cup goals included his 2018 hat-trick against Spain in their 3-3 draw. At Euro 2016, Portugal won its first European title, beating France 1-0 after extra time. Ronaldo left injured, but urged teammates onward from the touchline before Éder scored the winner.

Portugal added Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, giving Ronaldo 3 major international trophies. He also finished as the European Championship’s leading scorer, with 14 goals across 6 tournaments. 

His first Portugal hat-trick came against Northern Ireland on September 6, 2013, another landmark moment. In 2026, he scored 3 times before Spain eliminated Portugal 1-0 in the last 16. He made his final appearance on September 24, 2026, when Portugal beat Wales 1-0 in Lisbon. He played 67 minutes, then remained unused against Norway in Portugal’s following Nations League match. 

After coach Jorge Jesus said he would not start him in the next game, Ronaldo left camp. He later apologised, but received a 30-day suspension and a fine for leaving without permission. The federation plans a tribute, but no farewell match; Wales may remain his final game.