Cristiano Ronaldo has surprised fans after hinting that he could continue playing until the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a tournament his native Portugal will co-host alongside Spain and Morocco.
The Portuguese captain recently suggested he may continue his career for another four years and potentially participate in the 2030 World Cup, when he would be 45 years old.
If Ronaldo achieves the feat, he would become one of the oldest players to appear in soccer’s biggest tournament and could potentially participate in a record seventh World Cup.
The latest comments have reignited debate among football fans, especially as his old rival Lionel Messi is expected to end his World Cup career after the 2026 tournament.
Messi has not officially announced his retirement plans; However, the Argentine captain will turn 39 during the 2026 World Cup and many observers expect the tournament to be his last appearance on the world stage.
The Argentine superstar completed football’s greatest achievement when he led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, lifting the only major trophy that had previously eluded him.
Ronaldo’s situation seems different. The Portugal captain remains a regular part of the national team and will become the first player in history to appear in six World Cups when he takes to the field in the 2026 tournament. However, he is yet to lead his team to ultimate triumph in the global showdown.
Portugal coach Roberto MartÃnez also refused to rule out the possibility of Ronaldo taking part in the 2030 World Cup, saying no one should doubt the veteran striker’s ability to continue competing at the highest level.
