Confirmed by Ronaldo himself: Cristiano to play his final World Cup in 2026 | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo, the living legend of world football, confirmed this Tuesday that the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be his definitive farewell to the top national team competition. The Portuguese forward, currently with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, made the announcement during his participation in the TOURISE tourism forum, clearing up doubts about his international future.

The Portuguese star, who will turn 41 for the event in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was clear when asked if 2026 would mark his final point in the World Cups. "Sure, it's true because I will be 41, and I think in this great competition, I don't know… As I said, I am enjoying this moment," ‘CR7’ responded to the press, according to the agency EFE.

This statement sets an expiration date on his historic participation in the World Cups, a journey that began in Germany 2006 and has seen him become one of the top scorers and protagonists in the tournament's history. His presence in 2026 would mark his sixth appearance in the World Cup.

Although he was resolute about his World Cup stage, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner joked about his general retirement from the playing field. Regarding recent statements where he suggested a "soon" retirement, Cristiano clarified: "That will happen in ten years. I'm joking!" he said, emphasizing that he still has a lot of career left at the club level.

In this way, the Portuguese star provides fans with a clear horizon: the 2026 World Cup will be the last opportunity to see him defend his country's colors at the pinnacle of international football, seeking to put a golden finish to an unparalleled career.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

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