Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last, still hopes to win trophy

Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that the 2026 World Cup will mark his final appearance in the sport's premier tournament. Despite his age, the 41-year-old veteran expressed his continued ambition to lead Portugal to a World Cup title.

"It's about enjoying everything to the fullest. This will be my last World Cup, but hopefully, tomorrow will not be my last match," Ronaldo said at a press conference. He is set to play his most decisive match for Portugal against Spain in the Round of 16.

Ronaldo has already made history in this tournament, becoming the first player to participate in six World Cups, from 2006 to 2026. He also became the first to score in six different editions after netting a goal against Uzbekistan in the group stage. This tournament, he has scored three goals, including a penalty in the Round of 32 match that eliminated Croatia. This goal was his first in the knockout stages of his World Cup career.

Reflecting on his extensive career, Ronaldo expressed no regrets about his commitment to Portugal over two decades. "That day will surely come when I retire from the national team. Whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano will leave with a clear conscience, not 100 percent, but 1,000 percent. I have given my all to football," he stated. He emphasized that his motivation now stems from a love for the game rather than a need to prove himself, noting his current goal tally as evidence he's still performing well.