Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final tournament, confirming that his legendary career is nearing its end.
Speaking at the TOURISE Riyadh event on Tuesday, the 40-year-old Portugal captain said he plans to play for “one or two more years” before hanging up his boots.
“When I say soon, it’s really soon,” Ronaldo said. “I’m enjoying the moment right now — I feel good, I’m scoring goals, I’m still fast and sharp. But let’s be honest, it’s probably one, two years more.”
Pressed on whether that meant the 2026 World Cup would mark his farewell, he replied:
“Definitely, yes. I’ll be 41 years old, and I think it will be the right moment in a big competition. I’ve given everything to football, achieved so many records, and I’m really proud.”
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The Al Nassr forward, who won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016, has yet to claim a World Cup trophy, the only major title missing from his collection.
Ronaldo, who extended his contract with the Saudi club in June, also told Piers Morgan Uncensored last week that retirement would be “tough” but that he was mentally prepared for it.
“It will be difficult, yes. Probably I’ll cry,” he said. “But I’ll be ready.”