Cristiano Ronaldo’s Future in Football
Cristiano Ronaldo, the 40-year-old forward representing Portugal, has expressed that he anticipates only one or two more years in football, confirming that the 2026 World Cup will mark his final appearance at the tournament. During a video interview for the TOURISE Riyadh event on Tuesday, he shared his thoughts about retirement, following a recent discussion with Piers Morgan where he mentioned he would be stepping away from the game “soon.”
Reflections on Retirement
Ronaldo humorously suggested that “soon” could mean “in 10 years” but clarified,
“When I say soon, I’m truly savoring my current experiences. In football, once you reach a certain age, you start to count the months very quickly. At this moment, I feel great, I’m still scoring goals, and I’m quick and sharp on the field, enjoying my time with Al Nassr and the national team. But honestly, when I refer to ‘soon,’ it could likely be one or two years before I hang up my boots.”
World Cup Aspirations
When probed about whether the upcoming World Cup would be his swan song, Ronaldo confidently confirmed,
“Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old then. I believe it will be the right time, especially in a significant competition like that. I’m currently relishing this chapter of my career, but I recognize that ‘soon’ is indeed on the horizon. I’ve devoted 25 years to football, setting numerous records both at club and international levels, which fills me with pride. So, let’s enjoy every moment.”
Career Highlights and Challenges
Ronaldo’s long-standing pursuit of the World Cup has been a notable gap in his storied career, having previously secured victory at the 2016 Euros with Portugal. He recently extended his contract with Al Nassr for an additional two years in June. Last week, during his talk with Piers Morgan, he admitted that retirement would be challenging, saying,
“Of course, it will be tough. I will probably cry, yes. I’m an open person. It will be really difficult.”
Portugal’s World Cup Journey
Currently, Portugal is close to securing a spot in the World Cup, needing just two points in their upcoming matches against Ireland and Armenia. Ronaldo, alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi, is set to participate in their sixth World Cup, aiming to break a record tie with German legend Lothar Matthäus, who competed in five tournaments from 1982 to 1998.
