Katia Aveiro, the sister of Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, has claimed the 2026 World Cup will be her brother’s final tournament for the national team.
The 41-year-old forward has refused to confirm the decision, insisting he will only decide on his international future after Portugal’s campaign ends.
Aveiro made the statement in an interview with Portuguese broadcaster SportTV before Portugal’s dramatic round-of-32 victory over Croatia. “Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s ending soon. The info I have, from a reliable source… this is his last dance,” she said.
She clarified that her comments referred specifically to his Portugal career, not his overall playing future. The 41-year-old has no intention of extending his record-breaking international career to Euro 2028.
Ronaldo: ‘I don’t make reckless decisions’
Ronaldo responded to the speculation after Portugal booked their place in the round of 16. “I don’t make reckless decisions,” he said. “I will decide after the tournament, not now”.
The Al Nassr forward dismissed the retirement talk as premature. “The future isn’t important right now. I’ll have time, after winning or losing, I’ll talk”. He also told Sport TV: “My future isn’t important right now”.
Ronaldo is Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer with over 200 international caps. He became the oldest player to score in a FIFA World Cup knockout match when he converted a penalty against Croatia. He has scored in five World Cup tournaments, a feat matched only by a select few.
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Portugal remain alive in the 2026 World Cup and face Spain in the quarter-finals. Ronaldo has made it clear that his focus remains firmly on the present. Any decision about his future can wait until Portugal’s World Cup journey is over.
