Cristiano Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last

Cristiano Ronaldo, an iconic Portuguese footballer, has declared that the forthcoming FIFA World Cup will be his final outing on the international stage, bringing an end to a storied career that has spanned nearly two decades.

The 40-year-old football legend, who has garnered five Ballon d’Or awards, revealed plans to retire from professional football within the next one to two years.

During his remarks at the World Tourism Summit, Ronaldo confessed that while he still possesses a sharp competitive edge, he is becoming increasingly mindful of the passing of time.

I’m really enjoying the moment right now. I still score goals, I still feel quick and sharp both for Al Nassr and for Portugal, he said. But to be honest, when I say soon, it probably means one or two years more in the game.

Portugal will seal qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada if they defeat the Republic of Ireland on Thursday ; a result that would make the tournament Ronaldo’s record sixth appearance at a World Cup finals.

When asked directly if this would be his last major international competition, Ronaldo was clear:

Definitely, yes.

The Al Nassr captain, who currently sits on 953 career goals, has previously expressed his dream of reaching 1,000 goals before retiring.

Ronaldo’s comments also cast doubt on any hopes of him featuring at the 2028 European Championships, set to be hosted across the UK and Ireland.