Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that the 2026 World Cup is his last, saying 'Yes, this is my last World Cup, and the most important thing is to enjoy it. They've been trying to tell me to retire for 23 years,' as reported by journalist Ben Goldfriend (N12). The statement came just before Portugal's round-of-16 match.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be his last, in a statement reported by N12 journalist Ben Goldfriend just before Portugal's round-of-16 match. 'Yes, this is my last World Cup, and the most important thing is to enjoy it. They've been trying to tell me to retire for 23 years,' Ronaldo said.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Sunday, Ronaldo made the same statement ahead of the match, though the opponent was originally reported as Spain. The Portugal-Croatia match in the round of 16 was set on June 28, per N12. The discrepancy between the reported opponent in the current transmission (Spain) and the previously established bracket (Croatia) remains unresolved; the source messages do not specify which team Portugal faces tonight.
The 41-year-old forward is playing in his record sixth World Cup tournament, having scored in each of the previous five editions.
3 developments
- DevelopingRonaldo starts for Portugal in his sixth World Cup, facing Congo tonight
- StrongPortugal routs Uzbekistan 5-0, Ronaldo scores twice in record sixth World Cup
- DevelopingTrump says he will attend the World Cup
- DevelopingBen Goldfriend: Portugal-Croatia, Colombia-Ghana set as knockout round matches
Source and signal
- Internal intake