Ronaldo on the future: 'The few years I still have, I will cherish'

Soccereco, Staff Writer

Published: 10:39, 8 Oct 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo has no plans to hang up his boots anytime soon. Portugal’s all-time top scorer is sometimes asked by his family about the moment to retire, but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is postponing his farewell for now.

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again made it clear that he has no plans to step away from the game in the near future.

Despite having already achieved virtually everything there is to achieve in football, both at club and international level, the Portuguese captain remains as driven as ever. His hunger for goals, trophies, and personal milestones shows no sign of fading, and his message is clear: retirement will only come when he feels he has nothing more to give.

For now, Ronaldo’s focus is fully on Portugal’s next challenges in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Fernando Santos’ squad will play two important home games at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, first against Ireland on October 11 and then against Hungary on October 14, both scheduled for 20:45 local time. These fixtures will be crucial in determining Portugal’s path toward another major tournament, and once again all eyes will be on their legendary number 7.

If selected, Ronaldo will extend his already staggering tally of international appearances to 224 and 225 caps, further cementing his record as the most capped player in the history of world football. The upcoming matches will not only be important for Portugal’s qualification campaign but will also add another chapter to Ronaldo’s remarkable journey with the Seleção das Quinas.

In recognition of this extraordinary career, Ronaldo was honored at the "Portugal Football Globes" gala, where he was presented with a special award for his outstanding contributions to the national team. Speaking at the event, he expressed the depth of his connection to the Portugal shirt: "If it were possible, I would have only wanted to play for the national team. For a footballer, that is the ultimate. It goes without saying that I wear the Portugal shirt with great passion."

Since making his senior debut in August 2003 against Kazakhstan, Ronaldo has accumulated 141 goals in international football, a record that puts him well ahead of any other player in the history of the game. Along the way, he has been the driving force behind Portugal’s greatest moments, none more memorable than lifting the European Championship trophy in 2016 in France, the nation’s first major title. He also played a decisive role in winning the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, ensuring his place in Portuguese sporting folklore.

Yet, for all his achievements, Ronaldo insists that the fire still burns brightly. Asked repeatedly about retirement, he remains reluctant to commit to a timeline. "Football is still my great passion," he said. "My family sometimes tells me the time has come to stop. They ask me, for example, why I want to reach the milestone of one thousand goals now that I have already passed nine hundred. But that’s not how I think."

Currently playing his club football with Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr, Ronaldo has continued to defy expectations by maintaining his high performance levels even as he enters his forties. His physical conditioning, professionalism, and competitive mentality have allowed him to remain a decisive player for both club and country.

"I am still valuable for both my club and my country. So why should I stop now?" he asked rhetorically. "When I retire, I want to feel that I have truly given everything. I don’t have many years left, but the few years I still have, I will cherish."

Portugal’s qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has begun in strong fashion. After two matches in Group F, the Seleção sit top with six points. Their rivals in the group include Armenia, Hungary, and Ireland, and with Ronaldo still leading the line, confidence is high that Portugal will once again secure a place on football’s biggest stage.

For Ronaldo, the World Cup remains a dream that continues to motivate him. Having featured in five editions of the tournament since 2006, he now aims to be part of his sixth – an unprecedented feat for an outfield player at the highest level. Should Portugal qualify, the stage will be set for one final chapter in a legendary international career that has already rewritten the record books.

Whether or not the 2026 World Cup proves to be his last dance remains unknown. What is certain, however, is that Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to enjoy every remaining moment on the pitch, to keep pushing limits, and to continue inspiring millions of fans worldwide. For him, the journey is far from over.