IS CRISTIANO RONALDO CONFIRMING HIS RETIREMENT? THE 2026 WORLD CUP COULD BE THE LAST OF HIS CAREER

Cristiano Ronaldo looks toward the end of his career with the same determination that took him to the top. The Portuguese star is preparing to bid farewell to world football in 2026.

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will “definitely” be the last of his career, closing more than two decades at the top of international football.
“I’ll be 41, and I think that will be the key moment in the big competition,” Ronaldo said during an interview with CNN at the Tourism Summit held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Al-Nassr player said he continues to enjoy the game but admitted that retirement “is getting closer.”
“When I say soon, I probably mean one or two more years,” he said with a smile. “I’ve been in football for 25 years, I’ve given everything. I’m proud of my records and my career. Now I just want to enjoy the moment.”

Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer in international football with 143 goals, is the only male player to have scored in five World Cups. In 2026, he will play in his sixth tournament, to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada the first to feature 48 teams.

The Portuguese captain, who debuted with his national team in 2003, is still chasing the one major title missing from his collection: the World Cup. Portugal, led by Roberto Martínez, tops Group F of the European qualifiers with 10 points, ahead of Hungary (5), Ireland (4), and Armenia (3). A win over Ireland on November 13 would secure direct qualification.
“Portugal depends on itself. If we win, we’re in. We want to enjoy the process and arrive strong at the World Cup,” Ronaldo said after the team’s latest training session.

The forward also spoke about his life in Saudi Arabia, where he has played since 2023, as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s “Vision 2030” plan to position the country as a global sports hub. “I’m happy, scoring goals and helping my team. My body feels good, and I still have the hunger to compete,” he added.

Ronaldo, who recently became the first footballer to reach billionaire status according to Bloomberg, reiterated his wish for his son, Cristiano Jr., to grow up free from the pressure of his surname. “I just want him to be happy and do what he loves,” he said.

The 2026 World Cup will mark the end of an era the final chapter in the career of a footballer who defined a generation.