The 40-year-old, who scored 953 goals for club and national team, also said he would retire from football in one or two years, writes the BBC.
Next year’s World Cup, to be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States, would be Ronaldo’s sixth.
In an interview with CNN, when asked if 2026 will be his last World Cup, Ronaldo said – yes, definitely.
– I will be 41 years old and I think it will be the right moment in a big competition – he said.
Ronaldo, who currently plays club football in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, is the top scorer in the history of men’s national football with 143 goals as he continues to push for the 1,000 career goal milestone. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player said last week he would retire “soon”, but confirmed on Tuesday it was likely to be in the next few years.
– Let’s be honest, when I say soon, I probably mean one or two years in which I will still be in the game – he said.
Ronaldo helped Portugal win the Euro 2016 title, but the World Cup remains one of the few major trophies missing from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s display case.
Roberto Martinez’s side have yet to qualify for the next tournament but will secure a place if they beat the Republic of Ireland on Thursday.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
