Speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s international future has intensified after his sister, Katia Aveiro, suggested the 2026 FIFA World Cup would mark his final appearance for Portugal. However, the legendary forward has swiftly moved to temper expectations, stating he will make a decision only after the tournament concludes.

The comments come as Portugal continues its campaign in the knockout stages, having secured a 2-1 victory over Croatia in their Round of 32 clash. Ronaldo started that crucial match, with the team looking to advance further in the competition.

Aveiro’s ‘last dance’ comments spark debate

Katia Aveiro’s remarks, reported by Sport TV, immediately ignited discussion among fans and media alike. She indicated that her brother’s illustrious international career is nearing its end, urging supporters to savour his remaining games.

“Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s ending soon. The info I have, from a reliable source… this is his last dance,” Aveiro stated, adding, “So enjoy it a lot because it will be difficult to find someone after 200 goals. I’m talking about the Portuguese national team.”

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Despite the definitive tone from his sister, Ronaldo himself offered a more measured perspective on his future with the national team.

His statement, shared on X, suggests that while the end may be in sight, the timing and finality will be his call alone.

World Cup records and knockout stage drought

Ronaldo has already made his mark on the 2026 World Cup, scoring his ninth and tenth career goals in the tournament during Portugal’s dominant 5-0 group stage victory against Uzbekistan. These goals saw him surpass Eusebio’s long-standing record of nine World Cup goals for Portugal, set in 1966.

However, the tournament has not been without its challenges. An underwhelming individual performance in a 0-0 draw against Colombia cost Portugal the top spot in their group. Furthermore, a notable statistic continues to shadow Ronaldo: he has never scored in the World Cup knockout stages, despite playing eight such matches across the 2006, 2010, 2018, and 2022 editions.

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While Ronaldo continues to chase World Cup glory, Lionel Messi currently leads the Golden Boot race at the 2026 tournament and holds the record as the World Cup’s all-time highest scorer.

Beyond the World Cup, Ronaldo’s international career is decorated with significant achievements. He led Portugal to victory in the 2016 UEFA European Championship and twice prevailed in the UEFA Nations League, including a final victory against Spain last year where he scored a goal.

Projections suggest Ronaldo will conclude his Portugal career with:

• 12 goals in UEFA European Championship matches (2004-2024)

• 15 goals in the Nations League

As the 2026 World Cup progresses, all eyes will be on Ronaldo to see if he can add the ultimate prize to his collection before making a definitive statement on his future.

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