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