Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday said next year`s World Cup would be his last as he winds down one of the all-time great careers. The 40-year-old forward, with more than 950 club and international goals, also said he would retire from football in "one or two years". "Definitely, yes," he told a Saudi forum by video link, when asked if 2026 would be his World Cup swansong. "I`m gonna be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment."

Ronaldo, who began a lucrative stint at Saudi Arabia`s Al Nassr in 2023, also elaborated on comments last week when he said he would retire "soon". "Let`s be honest, when I mean soon, it`s probably one or two years I`ll still be at the game," he said. The five-time Ballon d`Or winner is targeting a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals.