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Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 will be his last with Portugal. The 41-year-old footballer, who has scored three goals in four matches of this year’s FIFA World Cup for the 2016 European champions, confirmed the news during the press conference on the eve of Portugal’s Round of 16 match against Spain.
Portugal will face La Roja in their second knockout match of this year’s FIFA World Cup on Monday (Tuesday IST) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Like Portugal, Spain have also not lost a single match in this year’s tournament, but on Monday one team’s campaign will come to an end.
“Yes, it’s my last one. Let’s go and enjoy it,” Ronaldo said.
“Vai ser o meu último mundial” 🗣️ Cristiano Ronaldo 😢#DAZNFIFAWC pic.twitter.com/aESFoNG9Tr
— DAZN Portugal (@DAZNPortugal) July 5, 2026
Ronaldo, who is the first and only player to score in six different FIFA World Cup editions, has fond memories of playing for Portugal against Spain in football’s biggest tournament. In the group-stage match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo had scored a hat-trick for his team against the Spanish side.
Not the same player anymore
During the presser, Ronaldo admitted that he is not the player he once was but came out fighting against critics “trying to kill me for the past 23 years”.
Ronaldo refused to say when he will end his international career. But to numerous questions about what lies ahead and the flak that has come his way in recent years, Ronaldo conceded that “I am not the player I used to be”.
But the attacker and Portugal skipper said “I am not doing too bad”, pointing out that he has scored three goals in North America — two against Uzbekistan in a 5-0 thrashing in the group phase and a penalty in the 2-1 win over Croatia in the last 32.
Relishing taking on journalists eager to ask about his future and the harsh spotlight on him, he told reporters: “It’s been like this since I was 18, it is not going to change.
“I always put body and soul trying to get our goals — playing or not playing, I will always have an important role to play.
“As I said before, (I will stop) when I choose, not when you choose, you always ask the same question.
“I don’t want to draw attention to this because it is less important.”
Ronaldo said this was the World Cup he had enjoyed the most, citing the “emotions” of it on and off the pitch.
Asked again about his international future, he shot back: “You have been trying to kill me for the past 23 years, but you must have seen that is not worth it, it’s a waste of time, but you try and try and try and try and try.
“I am so used to this,” said the veteran, who is the leading scorer in the history of international football.
