When the whistle blows on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City for the 23rd FIFA World Cup, a chapter of football history could be coming to an end. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years old then one of the oldest players in the tournament, stands on the brink of his sixth and most likely final World Cup. For the Portuguese superstar, it's about more than just sporting success – it's about the crowning finale of an unparalleled career.
Ronaldo's World Cup story is a mixture of personal brilliance and collective disappointment. Since his World Cup debut in 2006 in Germany, he has always been the face of the Seleção. But the big breakthrough eluded him: 2006 ended in the semi-finals, 2010, 2014 and 2018 each saw elimination before the semi-finals. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo experienced a bitter episode when coach Fernando Santos benched him in the quarter-final against Morocco – a moment that reignited the debate about his role in the national team.
Under new national team coach Roberto Martínez, however, Ronaldo has made a remarkable comeback. The Spaniard continues to rely on the experience and goal-scoring prowess of his captain, who despite his move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia continues to prove his finishing ability. In the Saudi Pro League he scores goal after goal, and in the national jersey he remains the all-time leading scorer – with over 130 international goals, a mark that no one is likely to reach in the foreseeable future.
Portugal's qualification for the 2026 World Cup has proceeded as expected with sovereign control so far. With a talented squad built around Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leão and rising midfield jewel João Neves, Martínez has a team that can certainly be counted among the tournament's favorites. The question is what role Ronaldo will actually play in the final tournament: star striker or experienced substitute?
The expanded 48-team tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico offers Portugal a realistic chance of winning the first World Cup title in the federation's history. Ronaldo already claimed the European Championship title in 2016, and he has also triumphed in the Nations League. Only the World Cup is missing from his personal trophy collection – a shortcoming that pains him in direct comparison with his eternal rival Lionel Messi. In 2026, Ronaldo could finally make this final claim – or he will write history as a worthy conclusion to a unique career, even without the trophy in his hands.