Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal captain has announced that the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark the final appearance of his glittering international career, bringing an end to more than two decades at the summit of world football.
The 41-year-old made the revelation while speaking ahead of Portugal’s Round of 16 encounter with Spain, saying his focus is now on enjoying every moment of the tournament rather than dwelling on the end of his World Cup journey.
“This will be my last World Cup,” Ronaldo said, adding that he hopes Portugal’s next match will not be his final outing in the competition.
The veteran forward stressed that whenever the time comes to retire from international football, he will do so without any sense of regret, maintaining that he has given everything possible to the game throughout his remarkable career.
According to him, the desire to continue representing Portugal is driven solely by his love for football rather than any need to silence critics or add to his long list of personal achievements.
Ronaldo also pointed to his performances at the tournament as evidence that he still has plenty to offer, noting that he has already scored three goals during the competition.
The Portuguese superstar has enjoyed another historic campaign in the United States, Canada and Mexico, becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments after finding the net twice against Uzbekistan during the group stage.
He later added another goal from the penalty spot against Croatia in the Round of 32, registering his first goal in a World Cup knockout fixture.
Reflecting on the tournament, Ronaldo described the 2026 edition as the most emotionally fulfilling World Cup of his career, saying the passion shown by supporters had made the experience particularly memorable.
Despite never winning football’s biggest prize, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner insisted that lifting the FIFA World Cup would not define his legacy.
He said his achievements in football and the life he has built outside the game mean he has nothing left to prove, adding that experience and maturity remain valuable assets at this stage of his career.
Ronaldo, who remains under contract with Al-Nassr until 2027, also expressed appreciation for the criticism he has received over the years, saying public scrutiny had contributed significantly to his personal growth.
The former Manchester United forward said the challenges and criticisms he has faced have helped shape his character, describing them as an important part of his journey both as a footballer and as an individual.
