← Back to News
Ronaldo: This World Cup will be my last - but I hope Spain clash isn't my farewell
Players
S
Sky Sports·about 19 hours ago

Ronaldo: This World Cup will be my last - but I hope Spain clash isn't my farewell

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his last as a player.

He and his Portugal team-mates face Spain in Dallas on Monday night, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of the match, the 41-year-old said: "Let this be my last World Cup; it is my last World Cup, and I hope tomorrow won't be my last match.

The Al-Nassr forward was then given a round of applause by the journalists in the room as he departed.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Ronaldo had earlier refused to confirm the tournament would be his last, even though he will be 45 when the next tournament is played in 2030.

"I will finish when I choose. You always ask the same question: is this the last one? We will see. I don't want to draw attention to this, the most important thing is to play well tomorrow," he said on Sunday.

"I'm going to be perfectly honest, regardless of what happens tomorrow, Cristiano is going ⁠to be 1,000 per cent leaving with a clear conscience.

World Cup 2026 fixture schedule - your day-by-day guide

Live group tables and third-place standings

"I have given ⁠all I could to football, it's my passion to play for so many years. I didn't do it out of need, I'm doing well out of life. It's about passion. I ‌play for the national team and I love to play football.

"Regardless of what happens tomorrow I'm not going to exert pressure on myself that I must win.

"You have to enjoy every match at a huge competition like the World Cup. I think I'm not ‌doing so bad. I've scored three goals, others have done better but I think I'm doing not so bad."

The former Man Utd and Real Madrid forward had faced criticism for his performances at the World Cup, with Portugal producing uninspiring displays across their three group games.

Ronaldo failed to score in a shock opening draw against DR Congo but managed a double against Uzbekistan. Question marks over his involvement arose once more in a goalless draw against Colombia.

The legendary Portuguese forward is his nation's leading goalscorer and appearance maker, scoring 146 in 232 caps. Ronaldo also became the first player to score at six different World Cups when he scored against Uzbekistan.

His goal from the spot in a 2-1 win over Croatia makes him the second-oldest World Cup goalscorer in history, and he is also the oldest to play in the knockout stages.

Play Super 6! Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k! Enter for free.

Sign up for Sky Sports push notifications Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch every minute of end of season X Facebook TikTok Instagram YouTube WhatsApp Partners Sky Bet Super 6 TEAMtalk.com Football365.com Sky Sports Channels Sky Sports Main Event Sky Sports Premier League Sky Sports Football Sky Sports Cricket Sky Sports Golf Sky Sports F1 Sky Sports Tennis Sky Sports Action Sky Sports News Sky Sports+ Sky Sports Racing Sky Sports Mix More Sky Sites Sky.com Sky News Sky Go Sky Group Sky For Businesses Sky Partnerships Sky Impact Store Locator Advertise With Us Terms & Conditions Privacy & Cookies Notice Privacy Options Accessibility Information Contact Us © 2026 Sky UK

Sources: Sky Sports

Get WC 2026 Updates

Match previews, results, and standings — delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

Portugal v Spain: World Cup 2026 last 16 – live
Players

Portugal v Spain: World Cup 2026 last 16 – live

⚽️ Kick-off time: 2pm local, 3pm EDT, 8pm BST, 5am AEST ⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email Scott The great pennant showdown. Spain have managed to pull off a feat previously considered almost impossible, by producing a pennant with

T
The Guardian·in about 5 hours
Henderson to miss rest of World Cup after freak injury
Players

Henderson to miss rest of World Cup after freak injury

England midfielder Jordan Henderson has been ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup.

S
Sky Sports·in about 5 hours
World Cup 2026: Trump admits lobbying Fifa over Balogun red card; Starmer intervened on England kick-off time – live
Players

World Cup 2026: Trump admits lobbying Fifa over Balogun red card; Starmer intervened on England kick-off time – live

⚽️ World Cup news and reaction as the last 16 continues ⚽️ Uefa accuses Fifa of ‘crossing red line’ over Balogun ⚽️ Mexico 2-3 England | Player guide | And email us We haven’t even mentioned Balogun-gate yet. The Belgian FA, and you can assume a larg

T
The Guardian·in about 5 hours
Does Salah have to become more like Messi to hurt Argentina?
Players

Does Salah have to become more like Messi to hurt Argentina?

One of the main narrative threads that seems to have taken over the 2026 World Cup is this idea of 'the last dance'.

S
Sky Sports·in about 5 hours
Belgium are looking for a new beginning at the World Cup against USA | Jonathan Wilson
Players

Belgium are looking for a new beginning at the World Cup against USA | Jonathan Wilson

Parts of 2018’s Golden Generation still remain, but there are more than enough good players in this Belgian side to give the US headaches • Predict the winner | Daily podcast | Download our app The whiff of unfulfilment lingers around Belgium. The Go

T
The Guardian·about 19 hours ago
Jordan Henderson out of World Cup with broken wrist sustained in post-match celebrations
Players

Jordan Henderson out of World Cup with broken wrist sustained in post-match celebrations

Unused substitute Henderson fell over advertising board Midfielder given oxygen and taken to hospital A historic night for England as they beat Mexico 3-2 in their World Cup last-16 tie was soured by an injury sustained by Jordan Henderson after fall

T
The Guardian·about 19 hours ago