Cristiano Ronaldo’s international journey might be approaching its conclusion, as his sister, Katia Aveiro, hinted that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be his final tournament with Portugal. Just before Portugal’s Round-of-32 match against Croatia, Katia suggested that the legendary forward is likely to hang up his international boots after the competition wraps up in North America. Portugal went on to defeat Croatia 2-1, keeping their hopes alive in the tournament. Her comments have sparked renewed interest in Ronaldo’s future, especially since there were earlier speculations about him playing until 2030. However, Pedro Proenca, the head of the Portuguese Football Federation, recently mentioned that it would be quite surprising if Ronaldo made an appearance at the 2030 FIFA World Cup, calling that scenario highly unlikely.
In an interview with Sport TV before Portugal’s knockout game, Katia Aveiro urged fans to cherish the moments they have left to watch Ronaldo play. She expressed that this journey is nearing its end and, as she said, “From the information that I have, you can start to say goodbye, because I believe this is it – so, enjoy it while you can.”
Portugal Qualify For Round of 16 After 2-1 Win Over Croatia
Portugal kept Ronaldo’s World Cup dream alive with a thrilling 2-1 win over Croatia. The seasoned forward got another chance to don the national colors after he converted a penalty, and then Goncalo Ramos headed in the winner during stoppage time. The match ended on a controversial note, as Croatia had a late equalizer disallowed by VAR. This clash featured two football legends in their 40s, with Ronaldo making his sixth World Cup appearance and Luka Modrić in his fifth. Croatia initially took the lead in the 53rd minute thanks to Ivan Perisic, who scored from a cross by Josip Sanisic. Ronaldo answered back in the 68th minute, coolly slotting home a penalty, his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout match. He was substituted in the 81st minute, just before Ramos secured Portugal’s spot in the Round of 16 with a late header.
While Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez has hinted that Ronaldo might still play in the 2030 World Cup, recent comments from Katia Aveiro and federation chief Pedro Proenca suggest otherwise. If her statements hold true, this World Cup journey could be the final chapter in one of the most illustrious international careers in football history, making every remaining match even more significant.
