Cristiano Ronaldo says he does not plan to retire immediately after the 2026 World Cup, despite having considered stepping away from international football. The Portugal captain has previously indicated that the tournament would be his last, but he now explains that he briefly thought about retiring after the competition.
Ronaldo says his decision changes after discussions with key figures around the national team. One outlet reports that he speaks of talks involving Portugal’s president and coach Jorge Jesus, after which he chose to keep playing for his country. Other coverage reflects the same broad point: Ronaldo’s future with Portugal remains uncertain, even as he frames 2026 as a pivotal moment in his career.
Overall, the outlets agree on Ronaldo’s contemplation of retirement after the 2026 World Cup and that subsequent discussions influence his stance, while they differ slightly in how they describe the specific conversations and the tone of his long-term commitment.
