• Cristiano Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last
• The Portuguese star plans to retire within one or two years
• Ronaldo aims for his sixth World Cup title, a key trophy missing from his collection

Cristiano Ronaldo, the iconic Portuguese footballer, has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be his final appearance on the world stage before retirement. In a video call at a tourism summit in Saudi Arabia, he stated, "Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old," and clarified that he intends to retire in "one or two years" according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, BBC, and Africanews.

Ronaldo, who has amassed over 950 goals during his expansive career and holds the record for the most international goals scored, expressed his excitement for the upcoming tournament, clarifying that his reference to retiring "soon" equates to a timeline of "probably one, two years." He mentioned his enjoyment in playing and scoring while still feeling "quick and sharp," highlighting his current form and dedication according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and BBC.

Portugal is on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup, with Ronaldo themselves contributing significantly with five goals in the qualifying rounds, bringing his total to 143 international goals. Ronaldo stated, "I gave everything for football... So let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment,” reflecting on his long and successful career according to Africanews. The upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will mark the culmination of his illustrious journey in competitive football.