Audio By Carbonatix
Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his last.
The 40-year-old, who has scored 953 goals for club and country, also said he would retire from football in "one or two years".
Next year's World Cup, taking place in Canada, Mexico and the United States, would be Ronaldo's sixth.
In an interview at the Tourise Summit in Riyadh, when asked whether 2026 would be his last World Cup, Ronaldo said: "Definitely, yes. I will be 41 years old, and I think [this] will be the moment in the big competition."
Ronaldo, who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, is the all-time leading men's international goalscorer with 143 - while he continues to pursue a milestone 1,000 career goals.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus player said last week he would retire "soon" but confirmed on Tuesday it would likely be in the next couple of years.
"Let's be honest, when I mean soon, it's probably one or two years, I'll still be at the game," he said.
Ronaldo helped Portugal to the Euro 2016 title, but the World Cup is one of the few major trophies missing from the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's cabinet.
Roberto Martinez's side have yet to qualify for next year's tournament but will secure their spot if they beat the Republic of Ireland on Thursday.
Latest Stories
-
African Union marks slavery Remembrance Day, calls for justice and global action
2 minutes -
Elysian International, Adventist Academy advance to semifinals of 2026 LUV FM VitaMilk quiz
4 minutes -
UBIDS claim second win at Honda Football Championship 2026
5 minutes -
NAIMOS confirms safekeeping of seized excavators and weapons
8 minutes -
Panic in Banka-Busuafise as three killed, two beheaded in two weeks
10 minutes -
Augustine Manasseh wins top prize at PGA Heritage Cup in Tema
10 minutes -
BoG Governor warns US-Israel-Iran conflict could hit Ghana’s liquidity, assures preparedness
17 minutes -
ECOWAS Court admits late state defence in Gertrude Torkornoo human rights case
21 minutes -
Photos: VIP bus, cargo truck collide at Konongo; two injured
30 minutes -
Orchids and Wealth: Standard Chartered’s unique gathering for affluent female clients
32 minutes -
GEXIM@10: Experts examine role of DFIs in Africa’s economic development
35 minutes -
Spain reaffirms support as KAIPTC hosts National Dialogue on illegal mining crisis
36 minutes -
Ibrahim Mahama, Police commander to meet IGP over alleged assault case
44 minutes -
We’re not out to bring gov’t down – Sulemana Braimah on Big Push report
46 minutes -
Gov’t releases 2026 salary payment schedule for public sector workers
48 minutes
