Cristiano Ronaldo’s long Portugal career may be approaching its final chapter, according to his sister Katia Aveiro.
Speaking before Portugal’s dramatic World Cup win over Croatia, Aveiro suggested that the tournament could be Ronaldo’s last in the national team shirt.
The comments add another layer of emotion to what is already a defining campaign for the 41-year-old, who continues to chase the one major trophy still missing from his international story.
Aveiro hints at farewell
According to TASS, Aveiro told Sport TV that Ronaldo’s time with Portugal may be close to its end.
Read also: ‘Quite special’: Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm joins Alpine at Silverstone
“Based on the information that I have, Cristiano Ronaldo’s career in the national team may be coming to an end. Not today, maybe, but I believe that this will be his farewell,” Aveiro said.
She then added the line that has drawn the most attention.
“According to a reliable source, this championship will be his last tournament in the national team’s uniform, it will be his last dance.”
The wording is important. Aveiro was speaking about Ronaldo’s future with Portugal, not clearly announcing the end of his club career.
Read also: ‘More dialogue is better’, says AmCham chief after Russia-US hockey match
Ronaldo keeps decision private
Ronaldo has not confirmed that the World Cup will be his final tournament for Portugal.
According to A Bola, he addressed the subject after Portugal’s win over Croatia, but refused to turn the night into a retirement announcement.
“Cristiano’s future is not important at this moment. I will speak, I will have time, after winning or losing, I will speak with my family and then I will make the decision in the best way,” Ronaldo told Sport TV.
“I no longer make decisions with a hot head, now everything is calm. Now it is about enjoying today.”
Read also: Christian Horner contacted by F1 team: Return is on the horizon for 2027
For now, his message is clear enough: any decision will wait until Portugal’s World Cup journey is over.
Another record in a remarkable career
Ronaldo was 41 years and 147 days old when he played against Croatia in the Round of 32.
TASS described him as the oldest player to appear in a World Cup knockout match, while The Guardian reported that he became the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout game when he converted Portugal’s penalty.
It was also his first goal in the knockout stage of a World Cup.
Read also: "Write an excuse for school", Tuchel tells England parents before Mexico clash
The achievement underlined the extraordinary length of a Portugal career that began more than two decades ago and has been defined by records, goals and relentless expectation.
One last push with Portugal
Portugal’s 2-1 win over Croatia has extended Ronaldo’s tournament and set up a major meeting with Spain in the Round of 16.
That means the debate over his future will continue in the background, but Ronaldo is still competing for something bigger than a farewell.
If this is his final World Cup with Portugal, it is not yet over.
Read also: Barcelona make surprise Harry Kane transfer move as decision finally made
And as long as Portugal remain alive, Ronaldo’s last dance still has another step to take.
