Cristiano Ronaldo: Former United star hints at international future

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·8 Juli 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo: Former United star hints at international future

Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo exited the World Cup stage as Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain in the last sixteen.

Current Manchester United players Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were also on the pitch as the Portuguese side were eliminated once again.

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Ronaldo scored three goals in the tournament, including his first ever goal in the knockout stage against Croatia.

Fallout from loss

As a result of the defeat, manager Roberto Martinez left his role and the Football Association of Portugal are now on the lookout for a new manager.

After the game, Ronaldo revealed that at 41 years old, this would have been his last World Cup, but he was coy on his international future.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will return to Saudi Arabia and Al-Nassr, aiming to break the 1,000 goal barrier as he currently sits on 976.

Ronaldo’s comments on Portugal future

Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport has carried comments from a Ronaldo interview suggesting his international career is still not over.

Commenting after the match against Spain, he claimed, “it’s true that it was my last World Cup, yes, but for the rest, I’ll have time to think, to talk with my family; there’s no need to make a hasty decision, life goes on.”

There have been numerous criticisms of the selection of Ronaldo in the squad and certainly his unquestionable place in the starting line-up, in spite of his age.

The outlet states, “Ronaldo has said goodbye to the World Cup, but not to the national team.”

Jorge Jesus, Ronaldo’s former manager at Al-Nassr, is said to be the favourite to land the Portugal job, so this could be another reason the former United star stays on with the national team.

When asked to comment on the rumours, the striker said, “it’s not the time to talk about Jorge Jesus. It’s not my decision; the president will make it.”