By: Kwame Bediako
Portugal and Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that the 2026 World Cup will mark the final World Cup of his illustrious career.
Speaking at the Tourism Summit in Riyadh, the 40-year-old confirmed his decision saying, “Definitely, yes. I will be 41 years old and I think [this] will be the moment in the big competition.” Ronaldo also revealed his plans to retire from football within the next one or two years.
The 2026 World Cup will be Ronaldo’s sixth appearance at the tournament, a testament to his longevity and sustained elite performance at the highest level of international football.
The event, set to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, represents a final major chapter for one of football’s all-time greats.
Ronaldo’s career totals remain staggering, with 953 goals scored for club and country, and he remains the all-time leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 strikes.
Currently playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, he is still closing in on the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals, an achievement few players in history have come close to reaching.
Despite his bounty of trophies, including leading Portugal to their first-ever Euro title in 2016, the World Cup remains the one major prize that has eluded Ronaldo throughout his career.
He has won five Ballon d’Or awards, underscoring his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Portugal, coached by Roberto Martinez, has yet to confirm its place at the 2026 tournament but will secure qualification if they defeat the Republic of Ireland in their upcoming match.
Should they qualify, Ronaldo will look to end his World Cup journey on a high note in the tournament across North America.
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