Cristiano Ronaldo‘s extraordinary international career could be entering its final chapter, with his sister Katia Aveiro revealing that the 2026 FIFA 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 victory 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 outfield player to start a men’s World Cup knockout fixture.Speaking outside Toronto Stadium before Portugal’s knockout clash, Aveiro suggested the curtain is set to fall 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 believe this is the farewell. 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 is ensuring it will be remembered for all the right reasons.Against Croatia, the 41-year-old converted a second-half penalty as Portugal secured a place in the Round of 16. In doing so, Ronaldo became the oldest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup knockout-stage history at 41 years and 147 days, overtaking Lionel Messi’s previous mark.His strike was also his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout match despite featuring in six editions of the tournament.The Portugal captain also climbed to second on the all-time list of oldest World Cup goalscorers, with only Cameroon great Roger Milla, who scored at 42 years and 39 days in 1994, remaining ahead of him.Before kick-off, Ronaldo had already created history by becoming the oldest outfield player ever to start a men’s FIFA World Cup knockout match. The milestone came just a day after Bosnia and Herzegovina captain Edin Dzeko briefly held the record, while Croatia’s Luka Modric also started, making it the first World Cup match featuring two outfield players aged over 40 on opposing sides.Ronaldo’s appearance was also his 26th at the World Cup, leaving him just one behind Germany legend Lothar Matthäus and three behind all-time leader Lionel Messi.
‘It felt like I was already retired’
Ronaldo’s latest heroics against Croatia completed a remarkable turnaround after he came under heavy criticism following Portugal’s opening 1-1 draw with DR Congo, where he failed to register a shot on target.The veteran forward responded with a brace against Uzbekistan before carrying that momentum into the knockout stage with another match-winning display against Croatia.Reflecting on his return to form after the Uzbekistan game, Ronaldo had said: “I knew it. God helps those who work hard. It was a difficult, dark week. It felt like I was already retired from football, but I held on as I always do because I believe more in hard work than in football. It was difficult, I have to confess, but we’re back.”He had added: “Very happy, but for me the most important thing is the work the team did and the confidence we had. We took a lot of hits during the week, we knew that would happen. The team worked very well and we improved a lot.”
Sister defends Portugal icon amid criticism
Ronaldo’s performances had sparked intense debate during the tournament, with reports even suggesting unrest inside the Portugal camp after the opening draw.Aveiro had earlier appeared to back criticism of some of Ronaldo’s teammates by liking a social media post targeting Bruno Fernandes, fuelling speculation over tensions within the squad.However, she strongly defended her brother following his return to form.“For intelligent people, those who like football have to like Ronaldo,” she said. “They’re the ones who lose out. He’s been tearing it up for 20-odd years.”With 232 international appearances and 146 goals for Portugal, Ronaldo already stands alone as men’s international football’s all-time leading goalscorer.
