Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will probably be his closing outing at FIFA’s flagship match for Portugal.
Ronaldo, who has scored 953 targets 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, along with his finest end on the prestigious match coming again in 2006 when his nation reached the semi-finals.
Portugal have already reached the 2026 version, going down in the US, Canada and Mexico subsequent summer time, with Ronaldo on the cusp of breaking extra data.
Ought to he rating at subsequent yr’s World Cup, he would change into the second-oldest participant to attain a aim within the match’s historical past, after Roger Milla (42 years, 39 days).
He additionally holds the file for the participant to have scored on the most completely different editions of the World Cup, having discovered the again of the online in all 5 he has featured in.
Ronaldo would change into the primary participant to attain at six World Cups ought to he web 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 instances in 22 appearances on the World Cup, a complete solely bettered by Eusebio (9) for Portugal on the match.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s finest return at a single match got here in Russia seven years in the past, when he scored 4 targets as Portugal reached the spherical of 16.
Ronaldo (22) may surpass nice rival Lionel Messi (26) for probably the most matches performed on the World Cup.
Nonetheless, Argentina would wish 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 trustworthy, once I imply quickly, it’s in all probability one or two years, I’ll nonetheless be on the sport,” Ronaldo added.
