Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will probably be his remaining outing at FIFA’s flagship event for Portugal.
Ronaldo, who has scored 953 objectives for membership and nation, additionally revealed that he plans to carry the curtain down on his glittering profession within the subsequent two years.
The 41-year-old has featured in 5 World Cups for Portugal, together with his finest end on the prestigious event coming again in 2006 when his nation reached the semi-finals.
Portugal have already reached the 2026 version, going down in the USA, Canada and Mexico subsequent summer time, with Ronaldo on the cusp of breaking extra data.
Ought to he rating at subsequent 12 months’s World Cup, he would grow to be the second-oldest participant to attain a purpose within the event’s historical past, after Roger Milla (42 years, 39 days).
He additionally holds the file for the participant to have scored on the most totally different editions of the World Cup, having discovered the again of the online in all 5 he has featured in.
Ronaldo would grow to be the primary participant to attain at six World Cups ought to he internet in 2026.
And in an interview with CNN, when requested whether or not 2026 could be his final World Cup, Ronaldo mentioned: “Positively, sure.
“I will probably be 41 years previous, and I feel [this] would be the second within the large competitors.”
Ronaldo has scored eight occasions in 22 appearances on the World Cup, a complete solely bettered by Eusebio (9) for Portugal on the event.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s finest return at a single event got here in Russia seven years in the past, when he scored 4 objectives as Portugal reached the spherical of 16.
Ronaldo (22) may surpass nice rival Lionel Messi (26) for essentially the most matches performed on the World Cup.
Nevertheless, Argentina would want to fail to qualify from the group, whereas Portugal must attain the ultimate, for this to occur.
The previous Manchester United, Actual Madrid and Juventus star additionally mentioned final week he would retire “quickly” however confirmed on Tuesday it will possible be within the subsequent couple of years.
“Let’s be sincere, after I imply quickly, it’s in all probability one or two years, I’ll nonetheless be on the recreation,” Ronaldo added.