Cristiano Ronaldo's Final World Cup: A Legacy Beyond Retirement
Ronaldo's Last Dance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Dallas: Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Portugal, announced on Monday that the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark the end of his World Cup journey, although he clarified that he does not plan to retire from international football just yet.
Ronaldo expressed, "This will be my last World Cup, but I hope tomorrow isn't my final match," during a press conference before the round of 16 clash against Spain. He added, "I don't believe I've had a poor World Cup. I've already netted three goals, and I'm eager to see if I can add to that tally tomorrow."
At 41 years old, Ronaldo scored two goals against Uzbekistan in the group stage and successfully converted a penalty against Croatia in the round of 32, marking his first goal in a World Cup knockout stage. He has now scored in six consecutive World Cups since his debut in Germany in 2006, making him the first player to achieve this feat with a total of 11 World Cup goals.
When questioned about retirement, Ronaldo emphasized that the choice is solely his. "Regardless of whether I continue playing, I will always hold a significant role in this national team. I will retire on my own terms, as I have stated in the past. Honestly, whatever happens tomorrow, I will leave with a clear conscience—perhaps not 100%, but definitely 1000%. I've poured my heart into football," he remarked.
With 232 appearances for Portugal and a record 146 international goals, Ronaldo led his nation to its first major title at Euro 2016 and later secured the UEFA Nations League trophies in 2019 and 2025.
Reflecting on the tournament, an emotional Ronaldo commended the fervor of the fans. He stated, "This World Cup has been defined by the passion of the people. It's not just our desire to compete at this level, but the enthusiasm of football fans worldwide."
He shared a touching moment from breakfast, where he met individuals from Venezuela and Colombia who shared their stories, some with tears in their eyes as they spoke to him. "That is what truly matters. That is the essence of life," he concluded.
Throughout his illustrious career, Ronaldo has amassed a total of 976 goals for both club and country, with the milestone of 1,000 goals in sight.