Cristiano Ronaldo may be living the final moments of his incredible journey with Portugal. A starter and scorer against Croatia (2-1) in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the Portuguese captain is slowly approaching the end of his international career.
At 41 years old, CR7 is still delivering. With 232 caps and 146 goals, the Al-Nassr forward remains a central figure for the Seleção. But this World Cup could well be his last major tournament in the Portuguese jersey.
Uncertainty surrounds Ronaldo’s international future
The trend was confirmed by his sister, Katia Aveiro, speaking to Sport TV. “Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s ending soon. The information I have, from a reliable source… it’s his last dance,” she said, clearly suggesting that Cristiano Ronaldo will retire from international duty at the end of the World Cup.
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But Cristiano Ronaldo himself refuses to rush things. Asked about his future after the win over Croatia, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner chose to play it down. No question for him of making a final decision in the middle of the tournament.
“Cristiano’s future is not important right now. I’ll talk about it… I’ll have time. After the victory or the defeat, I’ll speak with my family and make the best decision. I no longer make decisions in the heat of the moment, everything is done calmly now. For now, it’s about enjoying the present,” he told Sport TV.
A statement that naturally keeps the suspense alive. Ronaldo knows that every match could now be his last with Portugal, but he first wants to stay focused on the collective goal: going as far as possible in this World Cup.
The next meeting will have a very special flavor. On Monday, against Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo could play his final match in Portuguese colors. A massive clash, a fiery duel, and perhaps one last dance for one of the greatest players in history.
