Ronaldo reveals retirement plan, finalizing 2026 World Cup as final tournament

(Dan Tri) - Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that his playing time will not be much longer and the 2026 World Cup will be the last tournament he can contribute to the Portuguese national team.

"After 25 years of dedication to football, I will soon hang up my boots. Maybe in just one or two years," Cristiano Ronaldo shared in a video call at the World Tourism Summit in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) on November 11.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was also asked if the 2026 World Cup would be his last. "Definitely the last one. I'm almost 41 and I think that will be the right time," Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be his last tournament in the Portuguese national team (Photo: Getty).

Notably, the Portuguese striker admitted that it would be very difficult to retire in the next one or two years as his love for football is endless.

"It will be difficult, of course. It will be difficult, I will definitely cry… But I have been preparing for the future since I was 25, 26, 27 years old, so I think I can overcome this period of psychological shock.

Anyway, I'm enjoying the moment. As you know, in football, when you get to a certain age, you count the months very quickly. So this moment is great, as I told you before, I feel very good at the moment, I scored goals. I still feel quick and sharp.

I am enjoying my game in the national team and Al Nassr, but of course, to be honest, I will probably only play for one or two more years,” CR7 affirmed.

Ronaldo's former Man Utd team-mate Louis Saha has also expressed his amazement at the Portuguese striker's ability to maintain his peak performance at the age of 40. "To be honest, he struggled in the Premier League in his first few years.

Ronaldo didn't think he could last that long but then he realised his fitness and all that ambition made him plan to build something great.

Then, year after year, I could see him always focusing on his achievements and winning more awards. It was great to have this obsession and I could see that this guy would never stop whether he was on the field or in other situations. He always aimed for the best," Louis Saha expressed.

Ronaldo showed the best signs right before Saha left Man Utd in 2008 (Photo: Getty).

Saha admitted that the Portuguese striker is the best player he has ever played with and chose his former teammate over the age-old debate between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

"I think it's a very difficult question, always difficult. Some people will prefer Messi but I respect Cristiano more. If you want to start at a new team with a slightly high budget, the first player you want is him.

In any situation, Ronaldo does not need anyone around him. This is a debate, there are many different factors in football. Physically, mentally, technically and tactically, in my opinion, Ronaldo is more complete in terms of football but you have to respect Messi for what Lionel has done," the French striker concluded.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/ronaldo-tiet-lo-ke-hoach-giai-nghe-chot-world-cup-2026-la-giai-dau-cuoi-20251112075411208.htm