Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that the 2026 World Cup will be his final tournament with the Portugal national team, reflecting on an incredible international career filled with unforgettable memories since his debut in 2006.
The 41-year-old legend has faced heavy criticism recently due to a drop in form—a decline many consider natural given his age. However, rumors of him potentially playing in the 2030 World Cup had persisted, especially since Portugal is set to co-host part of that tournament.
Speaking at a fiery press conference ahead of Portugal’s highly anticipated round-of-16 clash against Spain, “The Don” fiercely fired back at the media and clarified his international future.
“The most important thing right now is to enjoy the tournament to the fullest. This will be my last World Cup, yes. The key is to enjoy it,” Ronaldo stated.
He added: “What remains is the people—the people who love us, the people to whom we can give special moments. I see the people working all around us. These are wonderful memories.”
Ronaldo Slams the Media Over Criticism
Addressing the relentless media backlash, the Al-Nassr forward did not hold back:
“For 23 years, you [the media] have been trying to kill me, but you’ve realized it’s useless. It’s just a waste of time; you try over and over again to no avail.”
“Even if I don’t win the World Cup, I will still be Cristiano Ronaldo. Winning the title won’t change anything for me, and it won’t make me the greatest. I will retire when I decide to, not because of you,” Ronaldo concluded.
