Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Tuesday that the 2026 World Cup will be his final tournament with the Portuguese national team. During the Two Rise Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo, who will celebrate his 41st birthday in February, expressed his eagerness to “enjoy” the upcoming World Cup set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next June.
“Yes, definitely,” Ronaldo stated, acknowledging his age and saying it was time for a significant tournament. He reflected on his lengthy career, mentioning, “I’ve given everything to football for the past 25 years and achieved numerous records for both club and country, which makes me very proud.” He emphasized the importance of appreciating the present moment.
Ronaldo is the leading scorer in men’s international football history, with 143 goals, and has participated in five World Cups since 2006. Portugal, currently leading their qualifying group by five points, hopes to secure his spot in a sixth World Cup. The team performed admirably in 2006, finishing fourth, but faced early exits in subsequent tournaments.
Despite not winning a World Cup, Ronaldo contributed significantly with three goals in seven matches and played a key role in Portugal’s victory at the 2016 Euros. Although he plans to continue playing at the club level, Ronaldo previously indicated he intends to retire “soon.” He confirmed on Tuesday that he might still play for another one to two years, post his contract extension with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasr.
The expanded 48-team World Cup will kick off on June 11 in Mexico City, with the group stage draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington, DC.
### Fan Take:
This news is significant for soccer fans as it marks the impending end of an era with one of the sport’s greatest icons. Ronaldo’s legacy will continue to inspire the next generation, and his final World Cup appearance could serve as a rallying point for Portugal, making fans eager to witness his last dance on the global stage.
