Ronaldo hints at retirement in the next 1–2 years

The Portuguese forward, who has scored more than 950 goals for club and country, made his debut as a teenager at Sporting Lisbon in 2002 and said in an interview that he would retire soon to spend time with his family.

In June, Ronaldo extended his contract with Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr until 2027, and the 40-year-old Portuguese player is also targeting the 2026 World Cup, the only major title missing from his trophy cabinet.

“Soon for me means in 10 years... No, I’m joking,” Ronaldo said via video call at a Saudi-hosted global summit on tourism and investment.

“I’m really enjoying the moment right now. As you know, in football, when you reach some age, you count the months very quick.

“I feel very good in this moment. I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp. I’m enjoying my game in the national team. But of course, let’s be honest. What I mean by soon is probably one or two years.”

With Portugal on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo confirmed that the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be his final stop on football's biggest stage.

“Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old (at the World Cup),” said Ronaldo, who is also the top scorer in history with 143 international goals.

“I gave everything for football. I’ve been in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything, I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams.

“I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.”

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star said he knows he will be remembered in history as one of the best players of all time.

But can his son, Ronaldo Jr., who is following in his footsteps by playing for the Portugal Under-16 team, be a better player than his father?

“As human beings, we always don’t want anybody being better than us. But I wish my kids will be better than me. I’m never going to be jealous of him,” he said.

“I don’t want to add pressure to that, because what I want for him is to be happy. It doesn’t matter if you want to play football or play another sport.

“Be happy, be free. Don’t be with the pressure of your daddy because that is a lot.”

“This is a new generation, a different generation. They think different, they live different. But as a father, I’m here to help him to be whatever he wants to be. I will be his support,” he added.

The Portugal captain will look to add another goal to his five in the qualifiers when they play Ireland on November 13 and host Armenia in Porto three days later.

The top team in Group F will secure their World Cup berth with a win in Dublin.

But Paris Saint-Germain fullback Nuno Mendes will miss both matches because he has a sprained knee.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has included 21-year-old Club Brugge winger Carlos Forbes in the squad for the first time, having upset Barcelona in the Champions League. He scored two goals and set up another in the 3-3 draw on November 5.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves is also returning from injury.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on November 11 that Barcelona star player Lamin Yamal has been released from the Spain squad for the qualifiers after receiving treatment.

A statement said the federation's medical team expressed "surprise and disappointment" on November 10 upon learning that the 18-year-old had "undergone an invasive radio-frequency procedure to treat his pubic affliction that same morning."

Yamal was scheduled to report for international duty on November 10 for the start of the Spain team's training camp.

“This procedure was performed without prior notification to the national team’s medical staff, who only learnt of the details through a report received... last night (Monday),” the statement added.