Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Spain vs Portugal at World Cup 2026: “I’ll retire when I want to”

Portugal’s captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, took his seat in front of the media at the venue where his team will face Spain in the World Cup Round of 16 on Monday: Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) in Texas. CR7 described Spain as “one of the favorites to win the title.”

How he sees the team

“If we didn’t believe in this idea, we wouldn’t be here. It’s been a wonderful experience. We’re improving. We know this is a tournament where it’s impossible to play well in every game, and it hasn’t been easy for anyone. Just look at the teams that have already been eliminated. I see the team as calm. We’ve trained well and prepared well. Tomorrow we’re up against a very difficult opponent, but we’ll be ready.”

Final World Cup and retirement

“It’s been like that ever since I joined the national team at 18, and that isn’t going to change [my influence]. I’m always there, body and soul. Whether I play or not, I’ll always have an important role. I’ll retire, as I said a few years ago, when I want to. Not when you want me to. I think it’s a waste of time to keep asking the same question. I don’t want to draw attention to that. The most important thing is that we play well tomorrow and believe we can get through to the next round.”

The atmosphere and Diogo Jota

“This is a different group from all the others. Full of quality, like every Portugal team, but calmer and younger. Maybe the average age is lower. As you already know, and it’s no surprise, we’ve been wearing the captain’s armband since day one because it has the names of all the players on it. It’s a way of staying united for Diogo. For us, for Portugal, and for Portuguese people around the world.

“It’s been an incredible experience. It makes you realize that soccer is bigger than what happens on the field. It’s about the joy of the people, the unity, seeing people crying as they watch the players. That’s what stays with you. Of all the World Cups I’ve played in, this is the one I’ll remember most because of the passion of the fans. I don’t know why, but emotionally it’s been the best. I’ve enjoyed it immensely in that sense.”

What he’ll be thinking when he goes to bed tonight

“The feeling is almost always the same: a huge passion for your country and the desire to win. It’s always like it’s your first game. The key is to enjoy it as much as possible. This World Cup has really been defined by the passion of the fans, not just ours. This morning we met people from Venezuela and Colombia who told us their stories. Seeing them with tears in their eyes, getting emotional just looking at you... that’s what leaves a mark. The rest... okay, we’re here, but only one team will win. It’s about living these moments. That’s what stays with you, more than the goals.

“‘Oh, he’s 41, he shouldn’t be playing.’ That’s irrelevant. What I’ll take home is the affection people have for the national team and for me.”

Message to the Portuguese fans and his critics

“For 23 years they’ve tried to kill me. But they’ve realized it’s not worth it. It’s a waste of time. They keep trying again and again, but it’s not worth it. Some people like me more, others less. I’m used to it. It’s part of the job.

“My message? The loyal ones never let us down. They’re always by our side, by my side. Everything else is garbage. It doesn’t count for anything.”

The only thing missing is the World Cup...

“I’m not missing anything in life. God has been very generous with me and has given me everything I never dreamed of winning, especially with the national team and even personally. It’s about enjoying every moment. I won’t be more Cristiano if I win the World Cup, or less Cristiano if I don’t. Of course we’re here with hope, but we know only one team will win. It’s about enjoying the moment, not worrying about tomorrow. That’s something I’ve learned.

“One of the things age gives you is maturity, experience, the ability to put things into perspective and soften a lot of things. Obviously I’m not blind. I’ve seen the constant attacks against me. But that’s nothing new. I’m often grateful because it’s another chapter in my life. I learned that after turning 40. I hope I live another 40 years and I’m ready for them.

“The biggest criticism often comes from the places where we grow the most. And I thank them for that, because I keep growing and learning more about myself. I’m happy, enjoying every day. Tomorrow is a huge game against an outstanding team that has already won this tournament. It’s about enjoying every single day.”

Scoring against Spain: Ronaldo’s record against La Roja

“Hopefully... that would be a good sign. But my job is to do what the coach asks of me. I don’t play for the national team the way I do for Al Nassr; I have more freedom there. We have to understand that the roles are different. I’m a player who stays closer to the penalty area, with the job of occupying the center backs. But you know that if the ball gets there and I have a chance, I’ll put it in the net. We know the opponent is very difficult, but I believe everything will work out.”

A sixth World Cup at 41

“It’s about talking to you [the journalists], especially some of you... especially those who don’t like me. And I know you’re one of them. I remember people’s faces. I only need to see them once.

“Playing at 41 has been a great experience. To reach this level you have to give up a lot of things. Everything I’ve done throughout my career has been about adapting. I’m not the player I used to be, but nothing has changed. I’m still scoring goals, and I hope I score tomorrow. If I don’t, I hope one of my teammates does and we go through.

“Moving on, playing against a great team, and winning tomorrow would be fantastic.”

Could this be his last match?

“You really want me not to come back... That day will come, yes. I’ll be honest. Whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano will leave here with a completely clear conscience. Not 100%, but 1,000%.

“I gave everything to soccer and to my life. Passion, desire. It was never out of necessity. Thank God I’ve done very well in life. I play for the national team and for my clubs because I love playing soccer.

“Whatever happens tomorrow, I’ll be happy. I can’t put pressure on myself by thinking, ‘You have to win.’ It will be whatever God wants. It’s about enjoying every day, every game, enjoying the World Cup. And I don’t think I’m doing too badly. I’ve scored three goals. Others have scored more because they’re playing very well. But I don’t think I’m doing badly... Let’s see if I can score tomorrow.”

His assessment of Spain

“I have a very special affection for Spain. I have homes there, businesses there, my friends are Spanish. Practically my whole family is Spanish.

“Spain is always a contender to win everything. Theoretically, Spain is the favorite because they’ve already won this tournament and have more titles than Portugal. But there’s fatigue, injuries, different players, the heat... although tomorrow it should be comfortable because we’ll have air conditioning.

“I love playing against Spain. I’ve faced them many times and it’s always been a very even game. Tomorrow will be the same. Whoever handles the small details best will win. I hope it’s Portugal. I have that feeling. But we’ll see tomorrow.”

This Spain team and Lamine Yamal

“I’ve always seen Spain as a team full of talent. Every generation. Ever since I’ve been with the national team, Spain has always been one of the favorites to win everything.

“Tomorrow will be a very tough game. We have to believe, run hard, and be brave. That’s the only way to win.

“Lamine is a player with a great future. Honestly, I haven’t watched any full Spain games, only a little of the first one against Cape Verde. But he’s a player with a bright future. He’s doing very well and he’ll have a fantastic career.

“But in my opinion, Spain is above all a team. They’re very good, they play great soccer, and it will be a very difficult match.”

The possibility of facing France

“I’m not talking about previous generations. It was incredible to play against all of them, but now the players are different. It’s a different challenge.

“I don’t want to talk about the semifinals because tomorrow we’re playing Spain. There’ll be time to talk about that if we get through, but first we have a very difficult game. I hope we can have a wonderful afternoon.”

On criticism

“The better prepared you are, the better you’ll survive a long career, if that’s what you want.

“Criticism... if you pay attention to criticism, you’re lost. It’s normal. It’s your job. I understand it perfectly. There is constructive criticism, and there is criticism that is simply meant to destroy you. That’s part of the job.

“At the end of the day, I understand your point of view. It’s part of how the media sells stories. If you want a long career, you have to get used to it.

“But we have to focus on the people who appreciate us, on the passion in the stadium. Over time I’ve learned that we should stay close to the people who love us and are passionate about us. And we have to stay passionate about what we do.

“You wake up, you go to training... of course there are difficult moments, but that’s part of the job. It’s normal. In soccer, because there’s always criticism, sometimes it’s even harder. But that’s simply part of our profession.”

Another question on whether this is his last World Cup

“The last World Cup again...” (laughs). “Interesting question. I liked that one.

“What stays with you is the people. The people who love us, the people we can give special moments to. I also think about the people who work around us. Those are incredible memories.

“On the flight over, I realized one of the flight attendants was Argentine. I could tell just by the way she looked at me. I said to her, ‘I know you’re Argentine. You looked at me and then quickly looked away. You don’t like me...’

“But my wife is Argentine. It’s all good.

“It’s about enjoying this as much as possible. Yes, this will be my last World Cup. The important thing is to enjoy it.”

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