Cristiano Ronaldo's Path to the 2026 World Cup: What Retirement Could Mean

 

He seems to have no limits. Even at 39 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo admits that he still gets "butterflies in my stomach" right before start. "I'm glad I feel that because once it's gone, it will be time to retire."

But it doesn't seem like Ronaldo will be doing this anytime soon. He wants to guide Portugal to a second UEFA European Championship victory as captain. Their first was in France for the 2016 Euros.

Ronaldo made his debut in the 2004 competition and is currently competing in his record-breaking sixth European Championship. With 14 goals at the Euros, he has also set a record and scored in each of his previous five competitions. He will become the oldest goal scorer in the history of the European Championship if he scores even one goal in Germany.
But for Ronaldo, those milestones are not the most important thing.

"I enjoy football, and records are simply a consequence of that."

From Madeira to international superstar

His stage name, Cristiano Ronaldo, is a combination of his first two names. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveir is the full name of the famous football player. He claims that even before the Hollywood actor was elected US President, his father was a huge Ronald Reagan enthusiast, which is how he received his middle name, Ronaldo.

On the Portuguese island of Madeira, off the northwest coast of Africa, Ronaldo was born in the city of Funchal. His father worked for the neighborhood football team, CF Andorinha, as the kit manager. Ronaldo's first ball kick occurred on the club grounds, where the family resided. At Sporting Lisbon, where he joined at the age of twelve, he developed his skills.

"The day I had to leave my parents and go to Sporting in Lisbon was the saddest, and at the same time the most beautiful, day of my life," Ronaldo once stated.

At the age of 17, he made his debut with Sporting's first squad. When Ronaldo was eighteen, he joined Manchester United, a Premier League team coached by the renowned Alex Ferguson. After leading Manchester United to victory in both the Premier League and the Champions League in 2008, Ronaldo, then 24 years old, was selected as the 2008 World Footballer of the Year for the first time. In both contests, he finished with the highest score. After moving to Real Madrid in 2009, Ronaldo remained there until 2018, during which time he won four additional Champions League titles. With 450 goals, he also emerged as the team's most successful goal scorer.

In Saudi Arabia for 18 months

At the age of 17, he made his debut with Sporting's first squad. When Ronaldo was eighteen, he joined Manchester United, a Premier League team coached by the renowned Alex Ferguson. After leading Manchester United to victory in both the Premier League and the Champions League in 2008, Ronaldo, then 24 years old, was selected as the 2008 World Footballer of the Year for the first time. In both contests, he finished with the highest score. After moving to Real Madrid in 2009, Ronaldo remained there until 2018, during which time he won four additional Champions League titles. With 450 goals, he also emerged as the team's most successful goal scorer.

Ronaldo is still a fantastic player on the field. With 35 goals in the Saudi League the previous season, he broke the previous scoring record. But the Portuguese player was also seen making lewd gestures twice during games; in one instance, this resulted in a match punishment. His emotions during his team's penalty-filled loss to champions Al-Hilal in the King Cup of Champions final this year were a reflection of his desire to win.

Will the Euro 2024 be Ronaldo's last dance?

Ronaldo played for Portugal for the 208th time in his team's European Championship opener, a 2-1 victory over Czechia. Portuguese coach Roberto Martinez has said he has Ronaldo in his squad "because he deserves it, not because he has a big name. He is our goal scorer. He scored 10 goals in qualifying, he can challenge the defenders."

Ronaldo proved as much in the dress rehearsal for the European Championship in Germany. The captain contributed two goals to the 3-0 victory in a friendly against Ireland. They were his 129th and 130th goals for Portugal – yet another record. He did not score in Portugal's opening match of Euro 2024.

Even though Ronaldo can appear arrogant on the pitch, his teammates say he remains a team player. He displayed as much when Portugal won the European Championship in 2016. After leaving the pitch early due to injury in the final against hosts France, Ronaldo passionately cheered on his team from the sidelines.

"He is an inspiration. He shows us that anything is possible," said teammate Ruben Dias. "He is our captain and we be with him to the end."

Unlike German international Toni Kroos, who will hang up his football boots after the European Championship, Ronaldo has not yet commented on whether this is likely his last Euros. Perhaps he still dreams of winning the World Cup – the only title still missing from his illustrious career.