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‘I will finish when I decide’, Ronaldo reveals about his future World Cup last 16 match.
Published on 6 Jul 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo has also refused to accept that the current World Cup will be the last of his career as Portugal face Spain in the knockout stage.
Ronaldo confirmed on Sunday that he will retire from football with no regrets as his side take on neighbors Spain in the last 16.
The 41-year-old is playing in a record sixth World Cup and, despite expectations that he will be retired from international football by the time the final is played, he has insisted he will finish his career alone.
“I will finish when I decide.” You always ask the same question: ‘Is this the last one?’ We will see. I don’t want to draw attention to this; the most important thing is to play well tomorrow,” Ronaldo told reporters before Monday’s game.
“I’ll be honest, regardless of what happens tomorrow, Cristiano will 1,000 percent leave with a clear conscience.
“I have given everything I can to football, I love to play for many years. I didn’t do it because of lack, I am doing well in my life, it is emotional, I play for the national team, and I love to play football.
“Regardless of what happens tomorrow, I will not force myself to win.”
“You have to enjoy every game in a big tournament like the World Cup. I think I’m not doing too bad. I’ve scored three goals; others have done well, but I think I’m not doing well.”
A calm Ronaldo admitted he had enjoyed the current tournament more than the previous five World Cups and was confident Roberto Martinez’s side would beat an accomplished Spain side as the finals progressed.
“If we didn’t have this faith, we wouldn’t be here,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun, we’re doing better in every game.
“We know that this is a difficult competition, and it is not always possible to do well. Some good teams have been eliminated, and that says it all. The team is good, calm and well prepared. We will face a difficult team, but I think we will prepare.”
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player has made 233 appearances for Portugal as against Spain, the country he is most closely associated with after nine seasons with Real.
His record against Portugal’s Iberian neighbours, however, is limited, with just four goals against the Spanish. That tally includes a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup.
“Spain is always a competition to win the Euros, the Nations League; they have already won this competition,” he said.
“Spain are the favourites. They have more titles than Portugal, but this is a different competition with different players. Injuries, there is heat.
“I like to play against Spain. My record is very good. I have played 10 or 11 times, and it is very good. I will win in small things. I feel like we will win.
“What I have to do is enjoy it if it’s my last World Cup, and it won’t be my last World Cup because I want to keep going.”
