Cristiano Ronaldo addresses his retirement plans

Nothing lasts forever in the world of football — not even Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar, who continues to play and score goals as he chases the 1,000-goal milestone (he currently sits at 953), has now turned 40. 

Despite his relentless dedication to maintaining peak fitness and prolonging his career as much as possible, his retirement is inevitably drawing closer.

On Tuesday, Ronaldo was asked about when he plans to hang up his boots and responded with a touch of humor:

“Retirement will come in ten years. For me, that’s soon. People think when I say I’ll retire soon it means in a few months or a year — I’m joking. When you reach a certain age, you start counting the months quickly,” he said with a smile.

While he left the door open to interpretation, one thing appears certain: next summer’s World Cup, which he is expected to play with Portugal, will most likely be his last. 

“I’ll be 41, and I think that will be the time,” he initially admitted, hinting that this could be his final appearance on the world stage. “Although, who knows? I’m enjoying the moment,” he added playfully afterward.

In any case, the upcoming World Cup is clearly circled in red on Ronaldo’s calendar. To date, he has featured in five consecutive editions since 2006, with his best result being a semifinal appearance that same year. 

The 2026 tournament will represent his final opportunity to chase the one title missing from his illustrious career — a World Cup trophy that would serve as the ultimate golden finish to Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary story.