Cristiano Ronaldo‘s sister, Katia Aveiro, has indicated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark the end of his international career with Portugal. Her comments came ahead of Portugal‘s round-of-32 match against Croatia, which Portugal won by a score of 2-1.
Speaking to the Portuguese media at Toronto Stadium, Aveiro suggested that fans should enjoy Ronaldo‘s current performances as his time with the national team is nearing its conclusion. She stated that while he would not retire immediately, his farewell would be soon, referring to it as his “last dance” for Portugal.
Ronaldo, at 41 years old, is participating in his sixth World Cup, a record he shares with Lionel Messi and Guillermo Ochoa. He also holds the distinction of being the first player, male or female, to score in six World Cups. His international career with Portugal began in 2003.
Despite his age, Ronaldo remains a key figure for Portugal. He has scored three goals in the current tournament, including two against Uzbekistan in a 5-0 victory and an equaliser against Croatia. He is the nation’s most capped player and all-time leading goalscorer, with 146 goals in 232 caps for Portugal.
The pursuit of World Cup glory
The ultimate goal for Ronaldo and Portugal remains to add a World Cup trophy to their previous success, which includes winning the European Championship in 2016 and two UEFA Nations League titles. Before Ronaldo‘s emergence, Portugal had not secured a major trophy.
Aveiro‘s remarks imply that the 2026 World Cup could be his final opportunity to achieve this ambition. She expressed immense pride in her brother’s achievements and confidence in his current form, noting that he is less nervous than the fans.
The prospect of Ronaldo continuing to play for Portugal until the 2030 World Cup, which Portugal is co-hosting, appears to have been dismissed by Aveiro‘s comments. She emphasised that her information, from a reliable source, points to this tournament being his final one with the national team.
Ronaldo‘s performances have drawn scrutiny from some who question his starting position. However, manager Roberto Martinez continues to include him in the starting XI, as seen in the match against Croatia. Aveiro addressed these critics, stating that those who truly understand and appreciate football must appreciate Cristiano Ronaldo.
A legacy of records and goals
In the match against Croatia, Ronaldo made his 26th World Cup finals appearance, surpassing Germany‘s Lothar Matthaus. Only Lionel Messi has more appearances, with 29.
Beyond his international career, Ronaldo is also nearing another significant milestone in his overall career. He entered the match against Croatia with 975 goals across club and international levels, having played 1,329 senior matches. This already makes him the leading scorer of all time according to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).
The target of 1,000 goals is considered achievable, particularly with his continued club career in Saudi Arabia, where his goal-scoring numbers have seen a resurgence. While his international career may be concluding soon, his club career is not expected to be far behind.
Ronaldo‘s sister highlighted his consistent record-breaking career spanning over 20 years. She expressed deep satisfaction with the family’s journey and achievements, underscoring the impact Ronaldo has had on the sport.
The forward’s legacy includes not only individual accolades but also his crucial role in securing Portugal‘s first major international trophies. His presence in the national team has been a defining feature of Portuguese football for over two decades.
As the 2026 World Cup progresses, the focus remains on Portugal‘s pursuit of the trophy and Ronaldo‘s contributions. His sister’s comments suggest that this tournament will be a significant chapter in his storied international career.
Ronaldo‘s club career with Al Nassr has seen his goalscoring maintain a high level, particularly in recent years. Manager Roberto Martínez has consistently supported Ronaldo‘s role in the national team, indicating that there is still a place for him as long as he wishes to play.
The prospect of Portugal winning the World Cup on July 19 would provide a fitting culmination to Ronaldo‘s international journey, adding the one major trophy missing from his collection. He would also aim to score his first career World Cup knockout goal to help his country advance to the round of 16.
Aveiro‘s statements were made on Thursday at the Toronto Stadium.
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Source: tntsports.co.uk
Leo Ashworth is a Sports News Writer at Latest News UK. He cut his teeth on regional sport before specialising in fast breaking-news writing. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Newcastle, he follows the European Tour and boxes at an amateur gym. “Get it right first, then tell readers why it matters.”