Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has made a stunning announcement that will mark the end of an era in international football. The Portuguese icon confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be his final appearance on football's biggest stage.
The End of an Era
During a Saudi forum appearance via video link on Tuesday, November 11, the 40-year-old forward made his retirement plans crystal clear. When asked if the 2026 tournament would represent his World Cup swansong, Ronaldo responded with "Definitely, yes."
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner elaborated on his thinking behind this monumental decision. "I'm gonna be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment," he explained, acknowledging that time is finally catching up with one of football's most enduring stars.
Retirement Timeline Revealed
Ronaldo provided more clarity on his overall retirement plans, building on comments he made last week about retiring "soon." The legendary forward specified that he expects to retire from professional football completely within "one or two years."
"Let's be honest, when I mean soon, it's probably one or two years I'll still be at the game," Ronaldo told the audience, giving fans a clear timeline for when they'll need to say their final goodbyes to one of football's greatest ever players.
The numbers behind Ronaldo's career are nothing short of phenomenal. The Portuguese superstar has scored more than 950 goals across club and international competitions, a testament to his incredible longevity and scoring prowess.
World Cup Dreams and Qualification
Ronaldo will be targeting a sixth World Cup appearance when the tournament kicks off in North America. His closest brush with World Cup glory came in 2006 when Portugal reached the semi-finals, only to be defeated by eventual champions France.
The road to 2026 isn't completely clear for Portugal yet. The national team can secure their spot in the tournament with a victory against Ireland on Thursday, giving Ronaldo the opportunity to write one final chapter in his World Cup story.
Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, where he moved in 2023 after his second departure from Manchester United in late 2022. His transfer heralded a wave of high-profile players moving to the oil-rich kingdom, which has been investing heavily in sports as part of its economic diversification strategy.
The timing of Ronaldo's announcement comes as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 World Cup, having been named as host nation last December. This creates a symbolic passing of the torch from one generation to the next in global football.
