Fifa World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo says this will be his last World Cup

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Author: NZ Herald,
Publish Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2026, 11:16am

Ahead of tomorrow’s Round-of-32 knockout clash against Spain, Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo has acknowledged this will be his last World Cup.

Ronaldo has played 232 games for Portugal, scoring 146 goals over 23 years – this is the 41-year-old’s sixth World Cup.

“This will be my last World Cup; God willing, tomorrow is not my last game,” he told reporters.

“I’m not missing anything; God has been generous to me,” Ronaldo said. “I won’t be more Cristiano or less Cristiano if I win the World Cup or not.”

Portugal face Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, tomorrow at 7am (NZT).

At a press conference ahead of the match, the Portugal captain joked with journalists about his longevity.

“You always ask the same question, whether this is the last one.

“The day will come,” he said, “but, honestly, whatever happens tomorrow, I will leave with a clear conscience, not 100% but 1000% because I have given everything to football. I don’t need it; I live well, but it’s about passion. I play football because I love it. Whatever happens tomorrow,I can’t put pressure on myself, saying we have the obligation to win. No, what will be will be. You have to enjoy it day to day. And I have scored three goals [at this World Cup]. I’m not doing too badly, right?

“They’ve tried to kill me for 23 years. There’s no point paying too much attention to it. It’s part of it … People in Portugal have faith, they never fail us, they’re always on our side, my side. All the rest is rubbish. It doesn’t matter at all. I’m not lacking anything in life. God has given me everything, more than I ever expected.

“Age gives you maturity and experience. I’m thankful even for the attacks I receive. That’s how you grow as a person, it has made me stronger – and I thank you journalists for that, because of that I’ve grown even more.

“You have to enjoy every day, like the last World Cup, which it will be, but hopefully, hopefully, tomorrow is not the last day. Hopefully. And then you can kill me a bit more.”