Cristiano Ronaldo’s Unexpected Honor from Portugal Raises Questions Ahead of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Ronaldo made his debut on August 20, 2003, in a friendly against Kazakhstan, and has since made 223 appearances, scoring 141 goals and recording 45 assists — both national records. With three major trophies already won for Portugal, the veteran forward is determined to end his illustrious career by lifting the one title that has eluded him: the World Cup.
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After turning 40 in February 2025, questions naturally arose about when Ronaldo might hang up his boots. At Al Nassr, he has already been rested for several matches in the 2025–26 season to manage his workload. With the 2026 World Cup just nine months away, however, Ronaldo appears focused on one clear objective.
During his acceptance speech, the Portugal captain spoke about his mindset: “I have a philosophy of living day by day. No long-term plans. I enjoy each day and each training session… Our goal is to win the next two games and qualify for the World Cup. What happens at the World Cup, we’ll see.”
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