Cristiano Ronaldo confirms 2026 FIFA World Cup with Portugal will "definitely" be his last as legend nears international retirement
AFNEWS reporter
Nov 12, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms 2026 FIFA World Cup with Portugal will "definitely" be his last as legend nears international retirement
Cristiano Ronaldo has said he expects to be playing for only "one or two" more years, confirming the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will "definitely" be his last. The Portugal captain has played at five World Cups for his country, first featuring in the 2006 finals in Germany, but with his 41st birthday approaching in February, he has said he will be retiring "really soon".
Cristiano Ronaldo has said next summer's FIFA World Cup will "definitely" be his last, with the Portugal captain expecting to retire "really soon".
Ronaldo became the first man to score at five World Cups at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, having first competed at the 2006 finals in Germany.
The 40-year-old will look to extend this record to six in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, but has confirmed that this tournament will be his final shot at lifting the trophy.
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Asked about his recent comments that he will retire soon, Ronaldo told CNN: "I feel very good in this moment; I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp.
"I'm enjoying my game in the national team and all that stuff.
"Of course, let's be honest, when I mean soon, it's probably one, two years I'll still be in the game."
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Whether next year's World Cup will be his last, he replied: "Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment in the big competition.
"I'm enjoying the moments, but when I mean soon, it's really soon because I give everything for football. I'm in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything.
"I have many records in different scenarios for the clubs and the national teams. I'm really proud, let's enjoy the moment, live the moment."
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Ronaldo is the men's all-time leading scorer in international football, having netted 143 times for Portugal since his debut in 2003.
The Al Nassr forward has scored five times during qualification for next summer's World Cup, which kicks off on June 11.
Portugal have all but secured their place at the tournament, leading their qualification group by five points with just two games left to play.
A victory against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday will seal their spot.
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— AFNEWS reporter