Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada will be his final appearance on the international stage, bringing a remarkable era of football to a close.
The 40-year-old forward, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and one of the game’s most prolific scorers, revealed that he plans to retire from professional football entirely within the next one to two years.
Speaking at the World Tourism Summit, Ronaldo acknowledged that while he still feels sharp and competitive, he recognizes that the end of his career is approaching.
“I’m really enjoying the moment right now. I still score goals, I still feel quick and sharp both for Al Nassr and Portugal,” he said. “But to be honest, when I say soon, it probably means one or two years more in the game.”
Portugal can secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a win over the Republic of Ireland on Thursday, which would mark Ronaldo’s record sixth appearance at the tournament.
When asked whether the 2026 World Cup would be his final major international competition, the Al Nassr captain replied unequivocally: “Definitely, yes.”
Currently sitting on 953 career goals, Ronaldo remains determined to reach the milestone of 1,000 goals before retiring from the sport.
