New Delhi: Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed his sixth World Cup next year will be his last one even though it might not necessarily lead to retirement from football.
“Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old and I think [this] will be the moment in the big competition,” Ronaldo told CNN in a chat from Portugal’s training camp.
Canada, Mexico and the United States will host the showpiece event in June-July next year and Portugal need only two points from their final qualifying group games against Ireland on Thursday and Armenia on Sunday to qualify.
The 40-year-old has scored 953 goals for club and country is the all-time leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 and is pursuing a milestone of 1,000 career goals.
Ronaldo inspired Portugal to lift the Euro 2016 title, but the World Cup is one of few major trophies that is not present in the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s trophy cupboard.
He plays his club football now in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr and recently spoke of plans to retire “soon” but clarified that he meant it would be in “one or two years”.
“Let’s be honest, when I mean soon, it’s probably one or two years I’ll still be at the game,” he said.
‘Live at the moment’Ronaldo has scored five goals in four qualifiers and is determined to inspire Portugal for a final push at the World Cup.
“I feel very good in this moment. I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp, I’m enjoying my game in the national team,” he said.
“I’m enjoying the moment. But when I mean soon, it’s really soon, because I give everything for football. I’m in the game for the last 25 years, I did everything.
“I have many records. I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.”
The 2026 World Cup will be record six appearances for Ronaldo and his great rival defending champion Argentina’s Lionel Messi. It would break their tie with Germany 1990-winning captain Lothar Matthaus who played at five editions from 1982-98.
