Following a challenging 2026 FIFA World Cup with Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at a potential retirement in the near future. His international teammate Goncalo Ramos is well aware of the legacy Ronaldo will leave behind, while acknowledging that every athlete’s career comes with a time limit.
Earlier this week, Ronaldo revealed his timeline, stating that the current campaign will likely be his last as a professional soccer player. His announcement generated a strong reaction across the squad.
Goncalo Ramos, who shares a locker room with Ronaldo for the national team, emphasized that while CR7 is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in history, age affects every competitor.
“It’s hard to believe that Cristiano will end his career,” Ramos said on press conference. “It’s been such a long time, and I think everyone has tied their soccer memories to his presence.
“Personally, I don’t know soccer without Cristiano, so it would be very strange. But I think it’s something everyone expects, because age doesn’t lie. We all know that he will retire one day, and after what he said, perhaps that will be next season.”
The 2026 World Cup was decisive for Cristiano Ronaldo
Before the 2026 World Cup began, Portugal were viewed as serious title contenders. Alongside a star-studded squad, Ronaldo’s presence inspired his teammates to pursue the trophy.
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However, Portugal fell short of expectations. Despite reaching the Round of 16, their overall performances were inconsistent, and Ronaldo struggled to sustain a peak level of play throughout the tournament.
Intense scrutiny weighed on the squad before they were ultimately eliminated by Spain. After the final whistle, an emotional Ronaldo was visibly distraught, recognizing that his final World Cup match had come to an end.
The 1,000-goal milestone remains in sight
Cristiano Ronaldo currently sits on 976 official career goals, leaving him just 24 goals away from reaching the historic 1,000-goal mark. That milestone stands as his primary remaining objective.
If this proves to be Ronaldo’s final season, scoring 24 goals is well within reach given his typical output. However, should he fall slightly short by season’s end, he may extend his career just long enough to secure the historic benchmark.
