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Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final appearance on football’s biggest stage. Speaking to CNN’s Becky Anderson at the Tourism Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Portugal captain said the tournament would mark the closing chapter of his extraordinary international career.

“I will be 41 years old, and I think that will be the moment in the big competition,” Ronaldo said, adding that he’s “enjoying the moment,” but retirement from football is “really soon.”

Ronaldo, the all-time leading goalscorer in international football with 143 goals, has represented Portugal across five World Cups — the most by any male player. The 2026 edition, hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams, making it the largest in history.

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00:00Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers of all time, has officially
00:16confirmed that the 2076 FIFA World Cup will definitely be his last. Speaking in
00:24an exclusive interview with CNN's Becky Anderson during the tourism summit in
00:29Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Portugal superstar said he knows when it's time to
00:33step off the global stage. And that moment will come after the next World Cup.
00:39I will be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment in the big competition,
00:44Ronaldo said, smiling but with a touch of finality. His remarks mark the first time
00:50the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has explicitly said he will retire from
00:54international football after the 2026 tournament, ending an international career
00:59that has defined an era. Ronaldo, who has scored an astonishing 143 goals for Portugal,
01:06the most by any male footballer in history, reflected on his career with gratitude and
01:11pride. I'm enjoying the moment, he said, but when I mean soon it's really soon
01:17because I gave everything for football. I'm in the game for the last 25 years,
01:22I did everything. I have many records in different scenarios, in the clubs and also
01:27in the national teams. I'm really proud, so let's enjoy the moment, live the moment.
01:34For millions of fans across the world, Ronaldo's retirement will signal the end of an
01:39unparalleled legacy that began in Madeira and reached unimaginable heights with Manchester United,
01:45Real Madrid, Juventus and now Al Nasser. Across his glittering career, he has lifted five Champions
01:52League trophies, won league titles in three countries and inspired a generation of players with his
01:58relentless drive, discipline and unmatched professionalism. The 2026 FIFA World Cup,
02:06the largest in history with 48 teams, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
02:13The tournament kicks off on June 11th, 2026 and is expected to be one of the most watched sporting
02:20events ever. The official draw for the tournament will take place on December 5th at the Kennedy Center
02:27in Washington DC. If Portugal qualifies, all eyes will be on Ronaldo to see how he leads his team on
02:34football's biggest stage one last time. Despite the fame and fortune, Ronaldo emphasised during the
02:42interview that family and happiness now take priority. When asked about his son, Cristiano Junior, who
02:49currently plays for a Portuguese under-16 team, Ronaldo said he hopes the next generation can surpass him
02:56both on and off the pitch. Human beings. We don't want nobody being better than us, he said with a laugh.
03:04But in my point, I wish if my kids will be better than me, I'm never going to be jealous of him. Trust me.
03:11He went on to share that as a father, his goal is not to pressure his son to follow in his footsteps,
03:16but to support him unconditionally.
03:20As a father, I'm here to help him to be whatever he wants to be, Ronaldo said.
03:25If he wants to be a football player, I will help him. If he wants to do something else,
03:30I will also help him. What matters to me is that he's happy. As he prepares for what will likely be his
03:36final appearance on football's grandest stage, fans around the world will undoubtedly celebrate the
03:41career of a player whose dedication, excellence and charisma helped redefine the modern game.
03:48The 2026 World Cup may be his last, but Cristiano Ronaldo's legacy will continue to
03:54echo through the sport for generations to come.
04:08I am the one.
04:09There.
04:09There.
04:09There.
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