How Cristiano Ronaldo could finish his career in the United States

The former Real Madrid superstar is still going strong for Portugal just 18 months before the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who turns 40 in February, has hinted at his retirement from football on a number of occasions without ever offering a specific date. The former Real Madrid icon is still going strong with Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr and the Portuguese national team, suggesting there is a chance he could still feature for his country at the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. .

The draw for the European qualifiers took place on Friday (December 13) and there are no signs that Ronaldo will not be involved when they start in March. Due to their participation in the upcoming UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, Portugal do not know exactly who they will face, although they do know that there are two possible routes to the tournament.

Portugal's possible qualifying opponents for the 2026 World Cup

Should they win their tie against Denmark in the last eight, they will move into Group F, where they will face Hungary, the Republic of Ireland and Armenia.

However, a defeat to the Danes would send them to Group C, in which their opponents would be Greece, Scotland and Belarus.

Following Portugal's elimination by Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it was believed Ronaldo would never play in the world's biggest international football tournament again.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo play in the 2026 World Cup?

But with the next edition just 18 months away and the veteran having scored 17 goals in 21 caps over the past two calendar years, we may see him take part in a record sixth World Cup, which Lionel Messi could equal with Argentina. .

Ronaldo has won almost everything there is to win in professional football, including multiple Champions Leagues, Premier Leagues and LaLiga titles, as well as the European Championship with Portugal in 2016. The World Cup has always eluded him, so what better way to celebrate his end your career? career than by finally getting your hands on it at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026?