Read for 2 minutesUpdated: 6 July 2026 12:58 AM IST
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last. Playing in his sixth World Cup, Ronaldo will renew his bid to win the title for the first time in his illustrious career when they take on Portugal in the Round of 16 in Dallas on Monday (Tuesday 12.30am IST).
“Yes, this is my last. Let’s go and enjoy it,” Ronaldo said in a pre-match press conference. It was a rather confrontational interaction with reporters, with Ronaldo calling out reporters and telling them he “didn’t like it”.
During the press conference, Ronaldo also pointed out a journalist. “Let him ask a question, I don’t like him,” he said. The reporter then asked what was the hardest part of playing in the World Cup at 41, to which Ronaldo replied: “The hardest part is talking to some of you. Especially the ones I don’t like. You’re one of them. I just need to see the face and I’ll remember better.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had questioned Portugal’s decision to keep Ronaldo on the field for their entire group stage matches before being substituted in the 81st minute of their dramatic 2-1 round of 32 win over Croatia.
Ronaldo converted the match’s penalty kick and later said he would make a decision about his international career after the World Cup. “The future is not important right now. I will talk about it … I will have time – after win or lose – to talk to my family and then make a decision as I do. I don’t make decisions on the spur of the moment; now I take everything calmly. Right now, it’s about enjoying today,” he had said.
A six-time Champions League winner with Manchester United and Real Madrid, the World Cup remains the only major trophy missing from Ronaldo’s overflowing cabinet, with Portugal winning the Euros in 2016.