Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed what most had expected on Sunday.
This World Cup, the sixth that the Portugal star has played in throughout his career, will be his last.
Ronaldo said as much on Sunday ahead of Portugal’s Round of 16 match with Spain at Dallas Stadium in Texas. The 41-year-old, however, was simply trying to keep the focus on the game itself rather than his future. And, despite putting an end to his World Cup run, Ronaldo was not ready to answer any retirement questions just yet.
“I want to enjoy it as much as possible, because it will be my last World Cup, yes,” Ronaldo said, via One Football. “But I hope that tomorrow won’t be my last game in the World Cup … I’ll [retire] when I want to, not when you want me to. It’s a waste of time to keep asking that question.
“But I don’t want to draw attention to that. The most important thing is tomorrow.”
The Portugal captain is undoubtedly one of the best to have ever played the sport. He’s led Portugal to a Euro 2016 title, their first ever in the event, and wins in the UEFA Nations Leagues in 2019 and 2025. He’s scored 11 goals in World Cup matches, and is now the first male player in history to score a goal in six different World Cups after he scored his first goal of this tournament last month.
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He played in his first World Cup back in 2006 while playing internationally for Manchester United. He’s spent time at the club level with Real Madrid, Juventus, Sporting CP and now Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia’s top league. Al-Nassar won the KSA title last season. Ronaldo has scored 976 total goals throughout his career.
What happens next for Ronaldo is anybody’s guess. But again, when reporters pressed him on his playing career on Sunday, Ronaldo snapped back. He even got into it with a reporter, who he recognized and thought didn’t like him.
“You have been trying to kill me for the past 23 years, but you must have seen that is not worth it, it’s a waste of time, but you try and try and try and try and try,” he said, via the AFP.
Regardless, Portugal isn’t out of the world cup yet. Monday’s contest will mark the first between Spain and Portugal in the World Cup since their 2018 clash. Ronaldo had a hat trick in that match, which ended in a 3-3 draw.
“I don’t think I’ve been doing that badly… I’ve scored three goals,” Ronaldo said. “Others have scored more, but because they are doing very well. They feel very good. But let’s see if I can score tomorrow.”
