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Cristiano Ronaldo wants to play the 2026 World Cup for Portugal amid retirement rumors

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Sherwin Shaju | Last updated Jul 8, 2024 11:28 AM ET

Cristiano Ronaldo played his final European Championship for Portugal as they were eliminated on penalties against France a few days back. Despite the heartbreaking result, Ronaldo’s recent admission made fans let out a sigh of relief as the player denied rumors of potential retirement. Aged 39, it is clear that the player doesn’t have much more left in the tank.

However, following Portugal’s elimination from the Euros, Ronaldo reportedly admitted that he is considering staying fit in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It will be another two more years before the tournament comes around and the Al-Nassr captain will be 41 by then. However, fans are hopeful that the player will roll back the years one last time to represent his country.

I think I will be available for Portugal in World Cup 2026. Cristiano Ronaldo said in an interview

Cristiano Ronaldo:

“I think I will be available for Portugal in World cup 2026.” pic.twitter.com/r7OkJ6tE1R
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) July 6, 2024

As reported by Relevo, it is unlikely that the 2024 Euros was Ronaldo’s ‘last dance’. The No.7 has set his sights on another record, being the first player to appear in and score at six different World Cups. The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Cristiano Ronaldo ‘thanks’ fans as Portugal bow out of 2024 Euros

Portugal’s talismanic No.7 was far from his best as the men in red were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals. Ronaldo was largely underwhelming throughout the tournament, as he failed to score a single goal from 5 appearances. He also failed to extend his record of the player with the most goals scored at the Euros.

After painting a sad picture of himself at full-time, the forward took to social media, as he expressed his gratitude for Portuguese fans and supporters around the globe. He also acknowledged that much more was expected of this Portugal squad. The forward also hinted at more to come, claiming that the national team’s legacy will ‘continue to be built’.

Queríamos mais. Merecíamos mais. Por nós. Por cada um de vocês. Por Portugal.

Somos gratos por tudo o que vocês nos deram e por tudo que conquistámos até aqui.

Dentro e fora de campo, tenho certeza de que este legado será honrado e continuará a ser construído. Juntos. pic.twitter.com/C34YgfKLmg
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 6, 2024

Portugal’s elimination on penalties was mainly due to a missed penalty by former FC Barcelona man Joao Felix . The 24-year-old’s shot hit the upright and went agonizingly wide of the goal as France capitalized on the same. The youngster has been subject to a lot of hate and abuse on social media following the same. Felix will return to Atletico Madrid upon expiry of his loan deal at Barcelona.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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