Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last. The 41-year-old Portugal captain shared the news during a press conference ahead of Portugal’s Round of 16 match against Spain in Dallas.
Ronaldo said he wants to make the most of his final World Cup and hopes his team’s clash with Spain will not be his last game in the tournament. He made clear, though, that he is not retiring from international football altogether, even though this will be his last World Cup appearance.
This is Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup, having played in every edition since his debut in 2006. He holds the record for most international appearances and goals for Portugal, with 232 caps and 146 goals. He also became the first player to score in six different World Cups after netting against Uzbekistan in the group stage, and later scored a penalty against Croatia in the round of 32, his first World Cup knockout-stage goal.
Since this will be his last World Cup, Ronaldo will not feature at the 2030 tournament, which will be co-hosted by Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. Reflecting on his long career, Ronaldo said he feels fulfilled and grateful, regardless of the results still ahead. He also praised the passion of football fans from around the world whom he has met during this tournament.
