Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest soccer players of all time, has finally shared when he plans to retire — and fans all over the world are emotional about it. The Portuguese superstar, who has scored more than 950 goals for club and country, said that he will likely hang up his boots in one or two years. That means the 2026 FIFA World Cup — which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — will be the last time we see Ronaldo play on the world’s biggest stage.
The 40-year-old legend made the announcement during a video call at a Saudi Arabian event focused on global tourism and investment. Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, said he’s still enjoying football but knows that his time as a player is almost over.
“I’m really enjoying the moment right now. I feel good, I’m still scoring goals, and I still feel quick and sharp,” Ronaldo said.
“But let’s be honest — when I said I’ll retire soon, I mean probably in one or two years.”
From Teen Star to Football Legend
Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey began more than two decades ago, when he made his professional debut as a teenager for Sporting CP in Portugal back in 2002. Scouts from all over Europe noticed his lightning speed, incredible dribbling, and powerful shots. Before long, he signed with Manchester United in 2003, under the famous manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
During his time in England, Cristiano Ronaldo became a global superstar. He won three Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League, and even his first Ballon d’Or (the award for the best soccer player in the world) in 2008.
After that, he moved to Real Madrid in 2009 — and that’s where his legend exploded.
At Madrid, Ronaldo broke nearly every record possible. He scored 450 goals in just 438 games, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer. He won four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, and four more Ballon d’Ors, taking his total to five — the same number as Lionel Messi had at the time.
In 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo surprised everyone by moving to Juventus in Italy, where he continued to win trophies and break records. And in 2021, he made an emotional return to Manchester United before later joining Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
🇵🇹 A Hero for Portugal
For his country, Portugal, Ronaldo has been nothing short of legendary. He made his international debut in 2003 at the age of 18 and quickly became Portugal’s main star. Over the years, he has scored 143 goals for the national team, more than any other player in international soccer history.
Ronaldo helped Portugal win their first major trophy at Euro 2016, and later the UEFA Nations League in 2019. Even though Portugal lost to Morocco in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals, Cristiano Ronaldo showed his passion by fighting until the very end — tears and all.
Now, Portugal is almost qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and Ronaldo says that will be his final tournament.
“Definitely, yes,” he said. “Because I will be 41 years old. I gave everything for football. I’ve been in the game for 25 years. I did everything I could — and I’m proud of it.”
Records That May Never Be Broken
Ronaldo’s list of achievements is almost endless. Here are some of his most impressive soccer records:
Most official goals in history (950+ and counting)
Most goals in international football (143 for Portugal)
Five-time Champions League winner
Five Ballon d’Or awards
Only player to score in five different World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022)
Only player to score 100+ goals in three different countries (England, Spain, Italy)
It’s safe to say that Ronaldo’s name will be remembered forever in the world of soccer.
Cristiano Ronaldo on Family and the Future
Even though Ronaldo loves football, he said that he’s starting to think more about his family and what comes after his playing career. He said he wants to spend more time with his children, especially his oldest son, Cristiano Jr., who is already making headlines of his own.
Cristiano Jr. is following in his father’s footsteps and currently plays for Portugal’s Under-16 national team. He’s shown great talent and even scored some amazing goals, just like his dad used to at that age.
But Ronaldo doesn’t want to put too much pressure on his son.
“I wish my kids will be better than me. I’ll never be jealous of him,” he said.
“I just want him to be happy — it doesn’t matter if he plays football or something else. What matters is that he enjoys his life and feels free.”
The Cristiano Ronaldo Legacy
When people talk about the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in soccer, two names always come up: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. For over 15 years, the two have pushed each other to new heights, breaking records year after year.
Cristiano Ronaldo has more international goals than Messi.
Messi has more assists and recently won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.
Both have over 800 career goals and more than 40 major trophies combined.
Even though fans argue about who’s better, both players have changed soccer forever.
Soccer Facts & News Combo
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams instead of 32. It will be hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Cristiano Ronaldo could become the oldest outfield player ever to play in a World Cup if he takes the field at age 41.
His club, Al Nassr, plays in the Saudi Pro League, which has recently attracted other famous players like Karim Benzema, Neymar, and Sadio Mané.
Ronaldo is also the most-followed person on Instagram, with over 650 million followers, making him a global icon beyond just soccer.
Throughout his career, Ronaldo has scored more than 60 hat-tricks (three goals in one game).
He’s also known for his powerful free kicks, lightning-fast sprints, and his famous “Siuuu” celebration — where he jumps, spins in the air, and shouts “Siiii!” as fans echo the chant.
The Final Chapter
As Cristiano Ronaldo’s career slowly moves toward its final chapter, fans everywhere are taking time to appreciate everything he has given to the sport. His story — from a poor boy on the island of Madeira to one of the most famous athletes in history — is the perfect example of hard work, determination, and passion.
“I gave everything for football,” Ronaldo said proudly. “Now, I just want to enjoy the moment and live the moment.”
Even after he retires, Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence will continue — through his son, his records, and the millions of fans who grew up watching him play.
No matter what happens at the 2026 World Cup, one thing is certain: Cristiano Ronaldo has already secured his place among the greatest legends in the history of soccer.