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Cristiano Ronaldo’s future with the Portugal national team is up in the air following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ronaldo’s sixth career appearance at a World Cup came to an end with a Round of 16 loss to eventual champions Spain, and many fans believe it could be the final time the 41-year-old icon of the sport plays on soccer’s biggest stage.
It is difficult to imagine Ronaldo, who will be 45 by the time 2030 rolls around, as a prominent player for Portugal at the next World Cup. His role in the squad was already in question as his age and mobility had clearly caught up to him in spite of his always-impressive physical condition.
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Ronaldo did score three times in five matches in North America this summer, but struggled to make the type of impact fans have been accustomed to over the past two decades of his illustrious career. And, as always, the five-time Ballon d’Or was criticized for his self-centered behavior on the pitch.
Despite the disappointing World Cup exit, fans do not think Portugal’s defeat to Spain will end up being Ronaldo’s final time suiting up for his national team.
Traders on prediction market platform Kalshi give the 41-year-old a strong 81 percent chance to play at least one more match with Portugal, for which he is the all-time leader in appearances (223) and goals (146).
Portugal’s next match comes on Sept. 24 against Wales in the UEFA Nations League, a competition Ronaldo has won with his nation twice in 2019 and 2025.
Beyond that, Portugal has five more matches in Nations League group play, including one more against Wales and two each against Norway and Denmark. All six games are scheduled to take place between Sept. 24 and Nov. 17, 2026.
Ronaldo’s contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr currently runs through June 30, 2027, and that is not even guaranteed to be the final stage of his club career either, as he is currently linked with a future move back to the Portuguese league or MLS.
While his international trophy cabinet doesn’t quite compare to Lionel Messi’s, Ronaldo’s career with Portugal can still be considered a resounding success if he were to call it quits this summer.
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His crowning achievement was undoubtedly winning the 2016 European Championship, although he played just 25 minutes in the final against France after suffering a knee injury. Portugal won that match thanks to substitute Eder’s 109th-minute wonderstrike.
Ronaldo is far and away the most prolific goalscorer in the history of international soccer, as well, with 146 goals to his name, 25 more than Messi, who ranks second on the all-time list.
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