Cristiano Ronaldo confirms: 2026 is the last World Cup — “Come on,

Cristiano Ronaldo confirms: 2026 is the last World Cup — “Come on,

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that FIFA World Cup 2026 will be his last World Cup. At Portugal's pre-match press conference ahead of their Round of 16 against Spain, the veteran striker said bluntly: “Yes, this is my last. Come on, let's enjoy it." At the age of 41, Ronaldo continues to make his mark in Portugal's history. He has the most caps for the national team in this edition of the tournament, with 232 caps, and has an extraordinary record of 146 goals for the country. At the 2026 World Cup, he has already scored two goals in the group stage against Uzbekistan and a penalty in the Round of 32 against Croatia — three goals in all this campaign. Although Portugal are regarded as one of the favourites, Ronaldo's role in the starting line-up is being closely watched. In Portugal's win over Croatia in the Round of 32, Gonçalo Ramos came on as a second-half substitute and scored the winning goal in extra time, sparking renewed talk of the balance of experience and fresh energy in the team.

Portugal next faces Spain on Monday (3 p.m. ET) in Arlington, Texas. For Ronaldo, the match has extra meaning as he played nine years in La Liga with Real Madrid. This is the second World Cup he will face La Roja; in 2018, his hat-trick against Spain in a dramatic draw stunned the world — a reminder of the weight of his presence on big stages. Ronaldo's prolific scoring form at the club level also continues. In the past three and a half seasons with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, he scored 129 goals in 148 games. Throughout his career — from Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, to the national team — his goals have reached 976, testament to his extraordinary consistency and longevity. As he stepped onto the World Cup stage for the last time, Ronaldo brought with him the desire to close a chapter in a way only he can do: leadership on and off the pitch, a high level of will, and a will to win Portugal's flag. For the Selecão, the combination of his experience and the vigor of the younger core — including Ramos — could be the key to big matches in the knockout stage. The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with an expanded format that has opened up more opportunities for countries and players. Amidst the wider stage, Ronaldo's message is clear: finish on a high and make the most of every match. As the clash against Spain approaches in Arlington, the whole world is focused on how one of the greatest players will write the final page of his World Cup story. --- ## Related Articles 1. [Cristiano Ronaldo makes history ao marcar no seu sexto Mundial](https://torcidanet.live/pt/news/cristiano-ronaldo-faz-historia-ao-marcar-no-seu-sexto-mundial) 2. [Tây Ban Nha vào tứ quảnh World Cup 2026 sau hạn hại 千后 tình nại](https://banthangvn.com/vi/news/tay-ban-nha-vao-tu-ket-world-cup-2026-sau-chien-thang-kich-tinh-truoc-bo-ao-nha)

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