Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo (AP Photo)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s extraordinary international career could be entering its final chapter, with his sister Katia Aveiro revealing that the 2026 World Cup will be the Portugal legend’s “last dance” in national colours.The emotional revelation came as Ronaldo continued to rewrite football history, inspiring Portugal to a dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia in the round of 32, while becoming the oldest player ever to score in a FIFA World Cup knockout match and the oldest player to start a men’s World Cup knockout match.
Speaking outside Toronto Stadium ahead of Portugal’s knockout match, Aveiro signaled the curtain would come down on one of the greatest international careers the game has ever seen.“From the information I have, they can say goodbye,” she told Sport TV. “Not today, but I think this is goodbye. I’m talking about the national team. From a reliable source, it’s the ‘last dance’, the World Cup.”
Ronaldo bows out in style with more World Cup history
If this is indeed Ronaldo’s farewell tournament with Portugal, he guarantees it will be remembered for all the right reasons.Against Croatia, the 41-year-old scored a second-half penalty to secure a place in the last 16 for Portugal. Ronaldo thus became the oldest scorer in the history of the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup at the age of 41 years and 147 days, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record.
His goal was also his first ever goal in a World Cup knockout match despite participating in six editions of the tournament.The Portugal captain also rose to second place on the list of the oldest scorers in World Cup finals of all time, ahead of only Cameroon legend Roger Milla, who scored when he was 42 years and 39 days old in 1994.Before kick-off, Ronaldo had already made history by becoming the oldest player ever to start a men’s World Cup knockout match.
This achievement came just one day after Bosnia and Herzegovina captain Edin Dzeko briefly set the record, while Croatian Luka Modric also started, making it the first World Cup match in which two players over the age of 40 participated in two opposing teams.It was also Ronaldo’s 26th World Cup appearance, putting him just one point behind Germany legend Lothar Matthaus and three behind all-time leader Lionel Messi.
“I felt like I had already retired.”
Ronaldo’s latest heroics against Croatia completed a remarkable turnaround after he was heavily criticized following Portugal’s opening 1-1 draw with DR Congo, in which he failed to register a shot on target.The veteran striker responded with two goals against Uzbekistan before carrying that momentum into the knockout stage with another winning display against Croatia.Commenting on his return to his level after the Uzbekistan match, Ronaldo said: “I knew it. God helps those who work hard. It was a difficult and dark week. I felt like I had already quit football, but I kept what I always do because I believe in hard work more than football.”
“It was difficult, I must admit, but we are back.”He added: “Very happy, but the most important thing for me is the work the team did and the confidence we had. We took a lot of hits during the week, and we knew it would happen. The team worked very well and we improved a lot.”
The sister defends the Portuguese icon amid criticism
Ronaldo’s performance sparked intense controversy during the tournament, as reports indicated disturbances within the Portuguese camp after the opening draw.Aveiro earlier appeared to support criticism directed at some of Ronaldo’s teammates by liking a social media post targeting Bruno Fernandes, sparking speculation about tensions within the team.But she strongly defended her brother after his return to the formation.“For smart people, those who love football should love Ronaldo,” she said. “They’re the ones losing. He’s been tearing it apart for over 20 years.”With 232 caps and 146 goals for Portugal, Ronaldo already stands alone as the all-time top goalscorer in international men’s football.