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It is widely believed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last, but what if it wasn’t? A former Manchester United teammate thinks otherwise, to the point that he would not be surprised if Ronaldo was present well beyond not only the 2026 World Cup, but beyond.
An air of invincibility
Former England striker Teddy Sheringham has suggested that Ronaldo has the physical tools and mental drive to continue playing into his 50s. Despite the intense demands of professional football, Sheringham believes the Al-Nassr striker’s meticulous focus on his fitness sets him apart from any other player in football history.
talking to BOYLE SportsOffering the latest World Cup odds, Sheringham said: “Could Cristiano Ronaldo play until he’s 50 at this rate? I wouldn’t be surprised if you look at his body at 41. He’s still fit as a fiddle. He’s had his own training team for the last 15 years to keep him in top shape and as long as he has the desire he’ll keep going, but it’s hard when you get to that age to get out of bed every day to go and do your training.”
The secret of longevity
(Another decade of Ronaldo? It’s not impossible. (AFP))
Ronaldo’s dedication to his craft is legendary, with restrictive diets, cryotherapy and a relentless training program allowing him to remain prolific into his 40s. While most players retire around 30, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is currently preparing to lead his country as
Sheringham continued: “I’m sure he still loves what he does and he’s playing in a league that’s obviously not as strong as other competitions around the world, but if you’re still scoring goals and people still want you to play, then why not get on with it? He’s got an air of invincibility about him, and he’s also got the body and the fitness, so I think we still have plenty of Ronaldo years to come.”
There is no European comeback at stake
Despite his continued success in front of goal, Sheringham does not expect the former Real Madrid and Juventus star to return to Europe’s elite leagues. Having won the Champions League and domestic titles in England, Spain and Italy, the chapter on his European career appears to be permanently closed, even with the return of a familiar face in José Mourinho as Los Blancos manager.
Stories related to the World Cup
“Can I see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Real Madrid to play again with José Mourinho? Definitely not. He will not return to Europe,” Sheringham insisted. While fans could dream of a romantic return to one of his former clubs, the financial and tactical realities of modern European football make such a move highly unlikely at this stage of his career.
A possible MLS swan song
If Ronaldo decides to leave the Middle East before finally hanging up his boots, Sheringham predicts a move to the United States could be the next logical step. Joining Lionel Messi in MLS would be a huge boost for the sport in North America, and Sheringham believes the Portuguese legend would have no problem dominating the league.
(Lionel Messi has already had success in MLS. Could Ronaldo be next? (Getty))
Sheringham added: “However, he could go to America if he wants to experience something more. You can see that, and he would certainly light up MLS like no one else can. Maybe it comes down to what he wants to do once he finally retires.” For now, the focus remains on Saudi Pro League and World Cup glory, as Portugal begins its 2026 tournament on Wednesday against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Group K. Even beyond this current chapter, the prospect of Ronaldo playing into his 50s is no longer ruled out as impossible.
