Cristiano Ronaldo Announces 2026 World Cup Will Be His Last

Cristiano Ronaldo announced on July 5 that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last international tournament, marking the end of a career spanning over two decades at the highest level of professional soccer. The Portuguese captain made this declaration during a press conference held the day before Portugal's Round of 16 match against Spain in Dallas, Texas. Ronaldo, who will be 41 years old during the 2026 tournament, expressed his intention to "enjoy it as much as possible" and stated that while "tomorrow isn't my last game," his international football career is nearing its conclusion.

Ronaldo reflected on his dedication to the sport, stating he has "given everything in football" and continues to play out of "passion." He noted his performance in the current World Cup, having scored three goals, and highlighted his record-breaking achievement of becoming the first player to score in six World Cups, a feat accomplished with two goals against Uzbekistan. He also marked a personal milestone by scoring his first World Cup knockout round goal against Croatia in the Round of 32.

The announcement comes as Portugal is also set to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Morocco, a tournament Ronaldo will participate in as a spectator rather than a player. He described the current World Cup experience as "fantastic" and "beyond the pitch," indicating it will be the one he remembers the most. Ronaldo's career has been defined by numerous accolades and records, solidifying his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.