Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he expects the 2026 World Cup to be his last, citing his age as the primary reason. The Portuguese forward will be 41 at the time of the tournament, and he 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.
Portugal’s national team is on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup, which will be co‑hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The side needs just two points from its final qualifying group games against Ireland and Armenia to secure a place. Ronaldo has been instrumental in the campaign, scoring five goals in four matches and extending his men’s world record to 143 goals for a national team.
The 2026 tournament will be a milestone for Ronaldo, marking his sixth World Cup appearance and tying him with long‑time rival Lionel Messi. Both players will break the record 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 enthusiasm for the moment, saying he feels “very good” and is “enjoying” his game. Yet he acknowledged that his playing career is nearing its end, stating, “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, and with Portugal and Argentina among the co‑hosts of the 2030 World Cup, it could provide 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.
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