Home Football PHOTO GALLERY: Ronaldo happily with his teammates in Portugal’s latest training session

PHOTO GALLERY: Ronaldo happily with his teammates in Portugal’s latest training session

Football — 10/11/2023

Ronaldo in the latest training session with the Portuguese national team

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Ronaldo can retire at the age of 42

  38-year-old striker Cristiano Ronaldo is said to want to attend the 2026 World Cup and extend his contract with Al Nassr until 2027.

The information was shared by Saudi Arabian football transfer expert Al Harbi on social network X. According to him, before returning to Portugal earlier this week to attend the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Ronaldo informed Al Nassr that he wanted to extend his contract until early 2027 – when he will be 42 years old.

“Cristiano wants to attend the 2026 World Cup while he is an Al Nassr player, and then he will announce his retirement from the field,” he said.

Ronaldo reacted during Al Nassr's 2-2 draw with Abha on October 6. Photo: Reuters

Ronaldo reacted during Al Nassr’s 2-2 draw with Abha on October 6. Photo: Reuters

The next World Cup takes place from June to July 2026 in the US, Mexico and Canada. The final round has 48 teams, setting a record for number in tournament history (previously the maximum was 32 teams).

At the age of 38, Ronaldo is still the mainstay of the Portugal team – where he holds the record of scoring 123 goals and playing 201 matches. In Group J of Euro 2024 qualifying, Ronaldo contributed five goals and helped Portugal win all six matches. If they get good results against Slovakia on October 13 and Bosnia on October 16, Portugal will soon win tickets to the final round.

Euro 2024 takes place in Germany, from June 14 to July 14 next year. The tournament includes 24 teams, similar to Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.

Ronaldo won Euro 2016, but has never won the World Cup. In five times participating in the world championship, he and Portugal reached the semi-finals in 2006, round of 1/8 in 2010, were eliminated in the group stage in 2014, entered the round of 1/8 in 2018 and quarter-finals in 2022.

Currently, Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr under contract until June 2025. After 36 matches playing for the Saudi Arabian team, the former Man Utd and Real star owns 31 goals, including 17 goals in the first 17 matches of the 2023-2024 season. Al Nassr is currently ranked third in the Saudi Pro League with 19 points, four points behind Al Hilal and three points behind Al Taawoun.