Ronaldo Sets Sights on Final World Cup and Goal Milestone

Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will mark his final appearance in FIFA’s prestigious tournament, making it his sixth World Cup participation. Notably, he has yet to address any plans regarding the European Championship.

Ronaldo’s recent contract extension in the Middle East is set to take him through to the summer of 2027, when he will be 42 years old. Despite his age, there is no indication that this remarkable athlete is slowing down.

He has expressed a desire to reach the impressive milestone of 1,000 career goals, already surpassing 950. Given his ongoing success with Al-Nassr and his record as the leading scorer in men’s international football with 143 goals, many anticipate that he will achieve this goal with relative ease.

Nani, a fellow Portuguese player and former teammate at Manchester United, remarked to FourFourTwo, “He’ll reach 1,000 goals easily, I have no doubt. It’s a milestone that matters to him – something he’s had in mind for years. He aims to reach 1,000 documented goals, unlike others who have claimed such numbers without proper records. Cristiano could produce a documentary with all of his goals. He will get there, even if it means playing in the lowest professional league, but I doubt he’ll need to.”

Nani further highlighted Ronaldo’s extraordinary longevity in professional football, noting his two-decade career at the highest level: “Nothing surprises me about Cristiano. He has always had clear priorities, and with the right support, everything becomes more manageable. His refusal to give up has solidified his position as one of the greatest players of all time. Even at 40, he continues to astonish, but I’m not surprised. I hope he maintains the high level he demonstrated in qualifying and plays a pivotal role for Roberto Martinez in the World Cup – goals are not something that vanish.”

Regarding the possibility of Ronaldo participating in one more major international tournament, Nani stated, “I hope he plays at the Euros. That will depend on how he feels physically, whether he can avoid injuries, and if he finds the motivation to keep competing as he has for over 20 years. If anyone can achieve the extraordinary feat of playing at the Euros at 43, it’s Cristiano.”

Ronaldo played a vital role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory and has secured two UEFA Nations League titles since then. Wes Brown, another former United teammate, recently shared his thoughts on Ronaldo’s continuing international career: “If he can contribute to the squad, why not include him? He doesn’t have to play every match. During the last competition, people suggested he should not play, yet he performed adequately. He knows the media will criticize him if he doesn’t score or assist, but he remains a presence for younger teammates, supporting their success. In his mind, he isn’t finished and still has much to offer the team. I doubt he will retire from international football until he has completely stepped away from the sport. He possesses the energy, belief, and capability to continue performing at this level.”

Ronaldo boasts 226 caps for Portugal, a record in itself, and has expressed a wish to play alongside his son, Cristiano Jr., at some point, whether at club level or for the national team. It is clear that he has no immediate plans for retirement.