Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that the 2026 World Cup will mark the end of his illustrious international career. Speaking at a Saudi forum via video link, the 40-year-old striker confirmed he plans to retire from football within the next one to two years.
“Definitely, yes. I’ll be 41 by then, and I think it’s the right moment,” Ronaldo said when asked if the 2026 tournament would be his last World Cup.
Ronaldo, currently playing for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, has scored over 950 goals across club and international competitions. He hopes to compete in his sixth World Cup next year, having first appeared on the global stage in 2006 when Portugal fell to France in the semifinals.
Portugal still needs to secure qualification for the 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with an upcoming match against Ireland offering a chance to clinch a spot. Last month, Ronaldo set a new record as the top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying history with 41 goals, surpassing Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz. He also holds the record for the most international goals in football history, with 143 strikes.
difficult;Reflecting on his retirement, Ronaldo admitted it will be emotional. “It will be difficult, probably I’ll cry. I’m an open person, and it will be very hard,” he shared in a recent interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in late 2022 after leaving Manchester United for the second time, initially signing a deal worth €200 million per year. In June, he extended his contract for two more years. Forbes recently named him the world’s highest-paid footballer, with combined on- and off-field earnings of around $280 million, making him the first billionaire athlete in football.
Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in sports and entertainment and was recently announced as the host for the 2034 World Cup.
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