November 13, 2025 | 01:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will mark his final appearance for Portugal, as the football legend will turn 41 next year.
“Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old,” Ronaldo told ESPN, as quoted in Jakarta on Wednesday. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner added that he is likely to retire within the next one or two years.
Ronaldo said he still enjoys competing at the highest level and representing his country. “I feel very good in this moment. I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp, I'm enjoying my game in the national team,” he said.
Despite being in his forties, Ronaldo remains a crucial player for Portugal in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He has scored five goals in the last four matches, extending his all-time international scoring record to 143 goals, the highest in men’s football history.
Portugal is now on the verge of securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Under coach Roberto Martínez, the team needs only two points from its remaining two matches against Ireland and Armenia to clinch the top spot in their group.
Ronaldo acknowledged that stepping away from football will not be easy. “Let's be honest, when I mean soon I mean probably one, two years."
”I'm enjoying the moment. But when I mean soon, it's really soon, because I give everything for football. I'm in the game for the last 25 years,” he said.
Throughout his illustrious career, Ronaldo has won nearly every major title, including the 2016 UEFA European Championship with Portugal. However, the World Cup remains the one trophy that has eluded him.
If he competes in the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo will make history as the first player to appear in six editions of the tournament, matching his long-time rival Lionel Messi. Both would surpass German legend Lothar Matthäus, who featured in five World Cups between 1982 and 1998.
Ronaldo admitted he has been preparing himself mentally for retirement. In a separate interview with Piers Morgan last week, he said the moment will be emotional.
“It will be tough, of course. It will be difficult? Yes. Probably [I] will cry, yes ... I'm [an] open person. [It] will be very, very difficult, yes,” he said.
For now, Ronaldo remains focused on his current stint with Al Nassr, where he still has two years left on his contract in the Saudi Pro League.
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