Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in his sixth World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Since his debut in Germany in 2006, the Portuguese star has never missed a single edition of the tournament. And now, as he approaches 41, he admits what already feels inevitable — the 2026 World Cup will likely be the last of his career.
During a videoconference at the TOURISE tourism forum, held in Saudi Arabia and streamed from Portugal’s training center in Oeiras, CR7 spoke with the tone of someone who knows time is catching up but still manages to enjoy it. “My last World Cup? Yes, for sure, I’ll be 41, and I think that will be the moment, although I don’t know… Like I said, I’m enjoying this moment,” said the Portuguese captain.
The man who defies the clock
Cristiano Ronaldo has always treated time as both an opponent and a source of motivation. When asked about retirement, he responded with irony and confidence: “Retire soon? That’ll only happen in ten years. ‘Soon’ means ‘soon’ for me. People think when I say ‘soon,’ I mean six months or a year. I’m joking! When you reach a certain age, you start counting the months faster.”
It’s the kind of answer that sums up Ronaldo’s essence: competitive, provocative, and armed with the kind of humor only someone who’s made history can afford. With eight World Cup goals and a career tally nearing a thousand, Portugal’s No. 7 continues to chase new records. To reach the next World Cup, Portugal needs to secure qualification against Ireland or Armenia in this November international break, and the captain insists he’s ready. “My body is in good shape. I keep scoring goals, helping the team, and enjoying myself with Al Nassr and the national team. I want titles, that’s my life,” he said.
A legacy that won’t end with the final whistle
Cristiano Ronaldo has extended his contract with Al Nassr until 2027 and remains determined to reach the milestone of 1,000 official goals. At 40, he still shows impressive physical form and a mindset that many younger players lack. He’s the picture of an athlete who turned longevity into a lifestyle. Even at a point where he could simply rest on his legacy, he remains obsessed with performance.
On the field, this version of Ronaldo is less explosive but just as deadly. He’s adapted his game, fewer bursts of pace, sharper positioning, cleaner finishes. If 2026 truly is his final act, CR7 intends to leave the stage the same way he entered it: competitive, confident, and under the brightest lights. But those who know him understand he’s never been good with the word “end.” Maybe this World Cup won’t mark the closing of a chapter, but rather the beginning of a new kind of Cristiano Ronaldo.