Ronaldo’s last World Cup? We will see, says Portugal star before Spain clash | World Cup 2026 News
Ronaldo Refuses to Confirm Future Amid World Cup Speculation
Published July 6, 2026
Crisitiano Ronaldo has once again skirted questions about whether the current World Cup will be his last as Portugal prepares to face Spain in a knockout match on Monday.
Ahead of the round of 16 clash, the 41-year-old forward emphasized his intention to conclude his football career on his own terms. “I will finish when I choose,” Ronaldo stated during a press conference. “You always ask the same question: ‘Is this the last one?’ We will see. The most important thing is to perform well tomorrow.”
Ronaldo is competing in his sixth World Cup, a record for the tournament. Although speculation surrounds his international future, he expressed confidence that he would exit the sport without regrets.
“I’m going to be perfectly honest: regardless of what happens tomorrow, Cristiano is going to leave with a clear conscience,” he said. “I have given everything to football. It’s my passion to play for so many years. I play for the national team, and I love it.”
In reference to his performance, Ronaldo, who has scored three goals in the tournament, remarked that he is content with his contributions, adding, “I think I’m not doing so bad.”
Ronaldo indicated that he is enjoying this tournament more than any of his previous World Cups. He expressed his belief in the team’s potential to excel against Spain, a squad that has shown improvement throughout the competition.
“If we didn’t have this belief, we wouldn’t be here,” he said. “It’s been a beautiful experience; we’re getting better in every match. We know this is a tough competition, and it’s impossible to always do well. Some strong teams have been eliminated, and that says everything. The team is calm and well-prepared.”
Should Ronaldo take the field against Spain, it will mark his 233rd appearance for Portugal. His scoring record against Spain features only four goals, including a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw during the 2018 World Cup.
“Spain is always a contender to win the Euros and the Nations League; they have already won this competition,” he noted, referring to the dominance of the Iberian rivals. “Spain is the favorite. They have more titles than Portugal, but this is a different competition with different players. There are injuries; there’s the heat.”
Despite the challenges, Ronaldo remains optimistic. “I like playing against Spain. I’ve played them 10 or 11 times, and it’s quite balanced. It will be won on small details. I have this feeling we are going to win.”
As the countdown to the match continues, Ronaldo remains focused on enjoying the experience, emphasizing, “What I have to do is enjoy it if it’s my last World Cup.”