2 weeks ago
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Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he plans to retire from football in 'one or two years' and that next summer's World Cup will be his last.
The Portugal legend is closing in on 1,000 career goals for club and country but stunned fans last week when he told Piers Morgan that he will be hanging up his boots 'soon'.
The five-time Ballon D'or winner's comments sparked major discourse around the footballing world, with many left wondering whether they would see him take to the pitch for one last crack at the tournament that has so-far eluded him.
But Ronaldo has quickly moved to alleviate such fears as he confirmed that he will don the red shirt of Portugal in Canada, Mexico and the United States next summer.
The former Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid star did, however, concede that the World Cup in 2026 would be his last.
'Definitely, yes,' Ronaldo told CNN at the Riyadh World Tourism summit. 'I'm going to be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment.'
Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that next summer's World Cup will be his last
The Al-Nassr forward also revealed that he is planning to retire in the next 'one or two' years
The forward, who signed a two-year deal with Al-Nassr in June worth a reported £492million, also hinted that he would see out the remainder of his contract with the Saudi Pro League outfit before calling it a day.
'When I mean "soon"... I'm really enjoying the moment right now,' Ronaldo said.
He added: 'I'm enjoying my game in the national team and Al-Nassr, but of course, let's be honest when I mean soon it's probably one or two years I'll still be at the game.'
The 40-year-old is currently eight matches into the league campaign with the Saudi side, who he moved to after an unceremonious split with United in November 2022.
He has already scored ten goals in 11 appearances in all competitions and needs to put the ball in the back of the net 47 more times to reach an astonishing 1,000 goals.
When asked by Mr Morgan during their interview last week if he would like to reach that achievement at the World Cup, he said: 'I'm not thinking about that.'
'Maybe I surprised with my answer. If you ask if it's a dream to win the World Cup, no it's not a dream.
'To win the World Cup will not change my name in the history of football, I'm not gonna lie. One thing that I'm sure is that I will enjoy the moment.'
Ronaldo has won swathes of trophies in his glittering career but the World Cup has evaded him
Ronaldo had previously spoken of his desire to win the tournament, which is one of just few absent from his trophy cabinet.
The closest he has come to clinching it is in 2006, when Portugal were beaten in the semi-final by France. At the most recent tournament they were knocked out in the quarter-final by Morocco.
He did, however, help them to their Euro 2016 triumph, as well as two Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.
