Riyadh, November 12 (Udaipur Kiran): Portugal’s legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has officially confirmed that the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final appearance at the global tournament. Speaking via video link at a forum in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the 40-year-old star admitted that his illustrious career is nearing its conclusion.
Ronaldo, who has scored over 950 goals across club and international football, revealed that he plans to retire from the sport “within one or two years.” When asked whether the 2026 World Cup would be his last, he replied, “Definitely, yes. I’ll be 41 then, and I think that will be the right time.”
Currently playing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, Ronaldo joined the team in 2023 after leaving Manchester United. At the time, he hinted at retiring “soon,” and has now clarified that “soon” meant within the next couple of years.
A five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Ronaldo aims to make his sixth World Cup appearance in 2026. His best performance came in the 2006 tournament, where Portugal reached the semifinals before losing to France.
Portugal is yet to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup but can confirm its spot with a win against Ireland on Thursday.
Notably, Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia in 2022 inspired several global stars to follow suit and join Saudi Pro League clubs. The kingdom, which has been investing heavily in sports and entertainment, has also been awarded the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
