Wednesday, November 12, 2025 - Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday, November 11 said next year’s World Cup would be his last as he winds down one of the all-time great careers.
The 40-year-old forward, with more than 950 club and
international goals, also said he would retire from football in “one or two
years”.
“Definitely, yes,” he told a Saudi forum by video link, when
asked if 2026 would be his World Cup swansong. “I’m gonna be 41 years old and I
think it will be the moment.”
Ronaldo, who began a lucrative stint at Saudi Arabia’s Al
Nassr in 2023, also elaborated on comments last week when he said he would
retire “soon”.
“Let’s be honest, when I mean soon, it’s probably one or two
years I’ll still be at the game,” he said.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is targeting a sixth World
Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy in 2006, when Portugal
lost to France in the semi-finals.
Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 tournament in the
USA, Canada and Mexico, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland on
Thursday.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United for a
second time in late 2022, a move that heralded an influx of late-career stars
to the oil-rich kingdom. Saudi Arabia, which is spending big on sports and
entertainment as part of its economic diversification plan, was named as host
of the 2034 World Cup last December.
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