Football Legend Nears the End of an Era
Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will “definitely” be his last, marking the end of a glittering career that has spanned more than two decades.
Speaking via video link at a Saudi forum in Riyadh on Tuesday, the 40-year-old forward said he plans to retire from professional football in “one or two years.”
“Definitely, yes. I’m gonna be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment,” Ronaldo said when asked if the 2026 tournament would be his final World Cup appearance.
Ronaldo, who joined Saudi club Al Nassr in 2023, has scored over 950 goals across club and international competitions. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also clarified his earlier comments about retiring “soon,” saying, “Let’s be honest, when I mean soon, it’s probably one or two years. I’ll still be at the game.”
Portugal’s captain hopes to feature in his sixth World Cup, a record for an outfield player. His closest shot at glory came in 2006 when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals.
Records, Legacy, and Life Beyond the Game
Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 World Cup — to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — but could secure their spot by beating Ireland on Thursday.
Ronaldo recently made history by becoming the top scorer in World Cup qualifying, netting 41 goals to surpass Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz. With 143 international goals, he also remains the world’s all-time leading scorer in men’s football.
In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo reflected emotionally on his inevitable farewell to the sport.
“It will be difficult, yes. Probably I will cry. I’m an open person, and it will be very, very hard,” he said.
After his 2022 departure from Manchester United, Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr opened the door for several football stars to join the Saudi Pro League. Reports suggest he initially signed a €200 million-a-year deal, later extended by two years.
Off the field, Ronaldo continues to break records. He was recently named the first billionaire footballer by Bloomberg and topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid players for the sixth time in ten years — earning an estimated $280 million this season, more than twice that of Lionel Messi.
Saudi Arabia, where Ronaldo now plays, will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, further cementing the country’s growing role in global football — a stage where Ronaldo’s influence continues to shine.
