Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he expects the 2026 World Cup to be his last, citing his age as the primary reason. The Portuguese footballer, who will be 41 at the time of the tournament, made the statement during a tourism conference in Saudi Arabia via videolink from Portugal’s training camp. Ronaldo clarified that when he says he will retire from soccer “soon,” he means within the next one to two years.

Ronaldo’s national team, Portugal, is on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team needs just two points from its final qualifying group games against Ireland and Armenia to secure its spot. Ronaldo has been instrumental in Portugal’s qualifying campaign, scoring five goals in four games and extending his men’s world record to 143 goals for a national team.

The 2026 World Cup will be a significant tournament for Ronaldo, as it will be his sixth World Cup appearance, tying him with Lionel Messi, his long-time rival. Both players will break the record currently held by German great Lothar Matthäus, who played in five World Cups from 1982 to 1998. Messi, who will turn 39 during the group stage, will be defending Argentina’s title, while Ronaldo will be seeking to add to his impressive collection of records.

Ronaldo expressed his enthusiasm for the moment, stating that he feels “very good” and is “enjoying” his game. However, he also acknowledged that his playing career is nearing its end, saying, “Let’s be honest, when I mean soon, I mean probably one, two years.” He emphasized his dedication to the sport, having given “everything for football” over the past 25 years.

The 2026 World Cup will be a historic event, with Portugal and Argentina among the co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup, potentially providing a fitting stage for Ronaldo and Messi to bow out of the international scene. With their legacies already cemented, both players will be seeking to make a lasting impact on the sport in their final World Cup appearances.