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Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last
The Mercury
|November 12, 2025
PORTUGUESE superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, pictured, said yesterday that next year's World Cup would be his last as he winds down one of the all-time great careers.
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The 40-year-old forward, with more than 950 club and international goals, also said he would retire from football in “one or two years”.
“Definitely, yes,” he told a Saudi forum, via video link, when asked if 2026 would be his final World Cup. “I'm gonna be 41-years old and I think it will be the moment.”
Ronaldo, who began a lucrative stint at Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in 2023, also elaborated on comments last week when he said he would retire “soon”.
“Let's be honest, when I mean soon, it's probably one or two years I'll still be at the game,” he said.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy on debut in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semifinals. Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 tournament in the US, Canada, and Mexico, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland on Thursday.
This story is from the November 12, 2025 edition of The Mercury.
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