July 2, 2026 – Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo is bringing the curtain down on his international career after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to comments from his sister, Katia Aveiro.
“This is his LAST DANCE”
Speaking to SportTV ahead of Portugal’s Round of 32 clash with Croatia at the World Cup, Katia Aveiro urged fans to enjoy Ronaldo’s final matches in a Portugal shirt.
“From the information I have, he can say goodbye. Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s not today that he’s saying goodbye, but it’s soon. I believe this is his farewell… The information I have, from a reliable source, I believe this is his last dance,” she said.
The quote quickly went viral, with fan accounts posting: “BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo to retire from international football with Portugal after the World Cup, his sister Katia says. ‘Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s ending soon… this is his LAST DANCE’”.
Ronaldo Has Hinted at Retirement Timeline
The 41-year-old forward has himself suggested 2026 will be his final World Cup. In a November 2025 interview, Ronaldo said: “Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old [at the World Cup]… I gave everything for football”.
He also told a Saudi tourism forum that retirement is “probably one or two years” away. The 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico would be a record sixth World Cup for CR7.
Legacy in Progress
Ronaldo remains a starter for Roberto Martinez’s side and has played every minute of Portugal’s tournament so far. He recently scored a brace against Uzbekistan to take his World Cup goals tally to 10, and he is the all-time leading international goalscorer with 143 goals.
Note of Caution
While Katia’s comments have sparked global reaction, some outlets note her statements “must be taken with a pinch of salt” given her history of making headlines on social media. Ronaldo himself has not made a formal retirement announcement.
For now, the focus is on Portugal’s knockout campaign. Ronaldo is expected to start against Croatia as he chases the one major trophy missing from his collection: the World Cup. 13ec
