Cristiano Ronaldo Says 2026 World Cup Will Be His Last as Portugal Prepares to Face Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo stated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last. Portugal will face Spain in the round of 16 on Monday in Dallas. Ronaldo trained on Sunday ahead of the match. He played every minute of Portugal's group-stage 1-1 draw with DR Congo, scored twice in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan to become the first man with goals at six World Cups, and completed the full 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Colombia.

Portugal finished second in Group K. In the round of 16 against Croatia, Ronaldo had a goal disallowed for offside, converted a penalty, and was substituted in the 81st minute before Goncalo Ramos scored the stoppage-time winner. Portugal last defeated Spain in a competitive match in the 2004 Euros group stage and drew 3-3 with them in the 2018 World Cup.

Portugal also won the 2025 UEFA Nations League final on penalties after Ronaldo scored. Spain enter the round of 16 unbeaten in their last 34 matches with 25 wins and nine draws. The team posted an average expected goals difference of +1.80 per game through the group stage.

Lamine Yamal, who turned 18 this year, played 141 minutes across Spain's group stage matches, scored against Saudi Arabia, and started against Austria after recovering from a season-ending hamstring injury suffered with Barcelona in April. Spain defeated Austria in the round of 32 after Pedro Porro replaced Marcos Llorente at right back.

Portugal and Spain have met 43 times, including five prior encounters at major tournaments.

"We know Spain very well and they know us very well too. I think it's going to be a fantastic match," Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said after the Croatia match. Portugal's odds to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup dropped on Polymarket following Ronaldo's statement.