Portugal’s legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the fifa-world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final appearance on football’s grandest stage.
The 40-year-old icon, who has scored an astonishing 953 goals for club and country, made the revelation during an interview at the Tourism Summit in Riyadh.
He added that he expects to retire from professional football “in one or two years.”
When asked if the 2026 tournament—set to be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States—would be his last, Ronaldo replied firmly, “Definitely, yes. I will be 41 years old, and I think this will be the moment in the big competition.”
Currently playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, Ronaldo remains the all-time leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 goals for Portugal. He also continues to chase his personal dream of reaching 1,000 career goals before hanging up his boots.
A Career Etched in Football’s History
Ronaldo’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From his explosive beginnings at Manchester United to his record-shattering years with Real Madrid and a glittering stint at Juventus, he has conquered nearly every frontier football offers.
A five-time Ballon d’Or winner, he has lifted league titles in England, Spain, and Italy—an achievement few can match. But despite winning the UEFA Euro 2016 with Portugal and the 2019 Nations League, the FIFA World Cup remains the missing jewel in his crown.
Ronaldo admitted that time is catching up, even as his body still defies it. “Let’s be honest, when I mean soon, it’s probably one or two years I’ll still be at the game,” he said with a smile.
As 2026 approaches, fans across the world brace for what could be Ronaldo’s emotional farewell to international football. His longevity in the game and unrelenting drive have redefined what it means to be an athlete at the top.
Cristiano Ronaldo, world’s most accomplished sportsman
Some consider him to be the most famous, richest sportsman in the history of humanity. He has since crossed the 1 billion mark in Followers across his social media accounts.
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