Ronaldo confirms 2026 will be his last World Cup before Spain last-16 tie

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be his last, ending years of speculation about when the veteran forward would finally step away from international football. The 41-year-old made the admission at Portugal’s pre-match press conference ahead of Monday’s last-16 tie against Spain in Dallas.

According to the Guardian’s Sid Lowe, Ronaldo told reporters: “This will be my last World Cup; God willing tomorrow is not my last game.” Defeat to Spain would eliminate Portugal from the tournament and, with it, end Ronaldo’s remarkable World Cup career.

Twenty-three years and six World Cups

Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003 against Kazakhstan in Chaves, coming on as a half-time substitute for Luís Figo in front of around 8,000 spectators. Should Monday’s match at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas prove to be his last, he will bow out in front of roughly 80,000 fans, having amassed 232 caps and 146 international goals across six World Cups.

The Guardian reports that Ronaldo has scored three goals at this year’s tournament. He referenced that record when discussing his legacy, saying: “And I have scored three goals. I’m not doing too badly, right?”

‘God has been generous to me’

Speaking in three languages during the press conference, Ronaldo reflected on his career with a mixture of humour and defiance. “I’m not missing anything; God has been generous to me,” he said. “I won’t be more Cristiano or less Cristiano if I win the World Cup or not.”

He also addressed years of scrutiny and criticism, telling reporters: “They’ve tried to kill me for 23 years. There’s no point paying too much attention to it. It’s part of it… I’m not lacking anything in life. God has given me everything, more than I ever expected.”

Ronaldo added that he felt no added pressure heading into the Spain fixture. “Whatever happens tomorrow I can’t put pressure on myself, saying we have the obligation to win. No, what will be will be. You have to enjoy it day to day,” he said, according to the Guardian.

What’s next for Portugal

Portugal’s World Cup remains alive so long as they overcome Spain in Dallas, and Ronaldo made clear he is not looking beyond that immediate task despite confirming his international swansong. When asked whether he might return for future tournaments, he replied simply: “You don’t want me back.”

Ronaldo closed his remarks with a nod to the ongoing scrutiny that has followed him throughout his career, saying: “You have to enjoy every day, like the last World Cup, which it will be, but hopefully, hopefully, tomorrow is not the last day. Hopefully. And then you can kill me a bit more.”