Cristiano Ronaldo has dismissed speculation that he will retire from international football immediately after the FIFA World Cup, insisting that his entire focus remains on helping Portugal progress in the tournament before making any decision about his future.
The retirement rumours gathered pace after comments made by the Portuguese captain’s elder sister, Katia Aveiro, shortly before Portugal’s Round of 32 clash against Croatia in Toronto. Speaking to Portuguese broadcaster Sport TV, she claimed that, according to a reliable source, she believed the ongoing World Cup would be Ronaldo’s final tournament with the national team.
“I believe this is his last tournament for Portugal, so let’s enjoy it,” Katia said, fuelling widespread debate over whether one of football’s greatest careers was approaching its conclusion.
Ronaldo, however, swiftly rejected those claims after Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia to book their place in the Round of 16. Addressing reporters after the match, the 41-year-old made it clear that retirement is not a subject occupying his thoughts during the competition.
“At this moment, it isn’t important,” Ronaldo said. “There will be plenty of time to discuss it after the tournament, whether we win or lose. I’ll speak with my family and then make the decision that feels right. I no longer make decisions based on emotion or impulse. Everything is considered calmly now. The only thing that matters to me is enjoying the present and helping the national team.”
His comments are likely to ease speculation surrounding his international future, although they stop short of guaranteeing that he will continue beyond the World Cup. Instead, Ronaldo indicated that any decision will be made only after careful reflection once Portugal’s campaign has concluded.
While the retirement debate dominated headlines before kick-off, Ronaldo responded in the best possible fashion on the pitch by producing another landmark performance.
Against Croatia, the Portuguese superstar finally ended one of the few remaining statistical gaps in his extraordinary career by scoring his first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup knockout match. The strike, converted from the penalty spot, also saw him become the oldest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup knockout stages at 41 years and 147 days, surpassing the previous record held by Lionel Messi.
The goal carried further significance. It extended Ronaldo’s record as the highest-scoring player in men’s international football to 146 goals, strengthening a record that already stands well clear of every other player in the men’s game.
His remarkable longevity is equally reflected in his overall professional career. Ronaldo’s total tally has now reached 976 goals for club and country combined, leaving him just 24 goals short of the unprecedented milestone of 1,000 senior career goals—an achievement that has become one of the defining targets of the final phase of his career.
Portugal eventually sealed victory thanks to a dramatic late winner from Gonçalo Ramos, earning a 2-1 success over Croatia after a fiercely contested encounter. The result sends the reigning European champions into the quarter-finals, where they are set for a heavyweight meeting with Spain.
As Portugal continue their pursuit of World Cup glory, Ronaldo has made one point unmistakably clear: discussions about retirement can wait. For now, his attention remains firmly fixed on the tournament, with the ambition of guiding his country as far as possible before deciding what comes next in one of football’s most celebrated international careers.
