Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Tuesday that the upcoming 2026 World Cup will mark his final appearance with the Portugal national team. Speaking at the TOURISE Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the soccer star, who will turn 41 in February, expressed his eagerness to embrace the experience, with the tournament set to take place next June across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old, and I think it will be the moment, and in a big competition,” Ronaldo stated. He emphasized the need to savor the current moment, reflecting on his remarkable 25-year career in football, during which he has set numerous records at both club and international levels. “I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment and live the moment,” he added.
Ronaldo stands as the all-time leading goal scorer in men’s international soccer, with an impressive tally of 143 goals. He has participated in five World Cups, starting from 2006, and is poised to join a sixth squad, as Portugal currently leads its qualifying group with a five-point advantage and two matches remaining.
Throughout his World Cup journey, Portugal finished fourth in Ronaldo’s inaugural tournament in 2006, reached the Round of 16 on two occasions, and faced early exits in the group stages in 2014 and the quarterfinals in 2022. Although he has yet to lift the World Cup trophy, Ronaldo played a key role in Portugal’s victory at the 2016 UEFA European Championship, contributing three goals in seven matches.
As Ronaldo’s international career draws to a close, he remains active at the club level. He recently indicated that retirement is on the horizon, mentioning in an interview with Piers Morgan that it could occur “soon.” He reiterated on Tuesday, “When I mean ‘soon’, it’s probably one, two years I’ll still be in the game.” Currently, Ronaldo is under contract with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia following a two-year extension signed in June.
The expanded 48-team World Cup is set to commence on June 11 in Mexico City, with the group stage draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington, D.C. As Ronaldo prepares for his final World Cup, fans and analysts alike await what could be a historic conclusion to an illustrious career.