Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that the 2026 World Cup will be his last. The soccer superstar announced before the loss against Spain in the round of 16 that this would be the final World Cup of his career, and he also reflected on it afterwards.
The 41-year-old has played in the last six editions of the tournament, becoming the first-ever player to score in six. Ronaldo says he won't be playing at the 2030 edition that will also be co-hosted by Portugal, alongside Spain and Morocco.
After the elimination at the round of 16 against Spain, Ronaldo said: "I don't decide anything in the heat of the moment. Now is not important whether I will continue [to play]. Tomorrow I will get up the same way I got up today: with a clear conscience. I played 23 years in the national team and won three titles. Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything. The European was the most important. For me, 2016 has the same dimension as a World Cup, honestly."
He was a bit more certain in his words before the game against the Spanish, saying, "This will be my last World Cup, but let's hope tomorrow isn't my last game."
The soccer star scored three goals at the 2026 World Cup -- two against Uzbekistan and then his first-ever goal in the knockout stages against Croatia, when he scored a penalty. Ronaldo didn't mention anything about a potential retirement, just that simply he won't play another World Cup.
"The day will come, but I'll be honest, Cristiano will leave with a clear conscience, not 100%, but 1000%. Because I've given everything in soccer. I don't need it, I have a good life, but it's about passion. I play football because I love it ... You have to enjoy every day. And I've scored three goals so far. I'm not doing too badly, right?"
