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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has captivated fans across the globe, offering a chance to witness football legends such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luka Modric possibly taking part in their final major international tournament.

On Sunday, Portugal’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo officially confirmed that this edition of the World Cup will indeed be his last.

Speaking to the media ahead of Portugal’s Round of 16 clash with Spain on Monday, the 41-year-old forward addressed ongoing speculation about his future and provided a clear answer.

“I want to enjoy it as much as I can because this will be my last World Cup, yes. But I hope that tomorrow won’t be my final game in the World Cup,” Ronaldo said during the press conference.

The Portuguese star also reflected on his age and the topic of retirement. Throughout this tournament, Portugal have started Ronaldo in all four of their matches, substituting him off only once.

“I am always fully dedicated, body and soul, to helping the national team. Whether I’m on the pitch or not, I will always have an important role,” he added.

“I’ll retire when I decide to, not when others want me to. It’s pointless to keep asking that question. But I don’t want that to be the focus — the most important thing is tomorrow’s game.”

When Ronaldo eventually steps away from international football, Portugal, currently ranked seventh in the world, will need to depend on emerging talents to lead the team in the post-Ronaldo era. That transition may have already started, as shown in the Round of 32 when Goncalo Ramos came off the bench to score a dramatic 94th-minute header, pushing Portugal into the next stage.

Looking ahead to the match against Spain, Ronaldo reiterated that the entire squad is motivated and prepared to challenge for glory, and that he will continue to contribute wherever possible.

“If we didn’t believe we could win the World Cup, we wouldn’t be here. It’s been a wonderful experience, and we’ve been improving with every game,” he said.

“We know that in a competition like this, it’s impossible to play perfectly every time, and it’s tough for everyone — just look at who’s already been eliminated. I see a calm team; we’ve trained well and are ready.”

He further reflected on his personal form: “I don’t think I’ve been doing badly... I’ve scored three goals. Others have scored more because they’re performing very well and feeling confident. Let’s see if I can score again tomorrow.”

Interestingly, the last time Spain and Portugal met in a World Cup was back in 2018, when Ronaldo netted a memorable hat-trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw.