Fresh Cristiano Ronaldo retirement hint dropped after ex-Man Utd star costs Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo WILL play at the 2026 World Cup, according to his Portugal team-mate Vitinha.

The Al-Nassr forward is now in the twilight of his career at the age of 39. There have been suggestions that he could hang up his boots sooner rather than later.

But it looks like he'll be playing for the next year and a half - at least, according to Portugal star Vitinha. The current Paris Saint-Germain playmaker is convinced that Ronaldo will be seen at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Speaking to RMC podcast Rothen s’enflamme, Vitinha said: “39 years old and still a starter for the national team, I have no explanation for this longevity. He has already said it, and I imagine it’s the professionalism he has in everything he does.

“In the morning, in the evening, every day of his career, it’s incredible. I can imagine the efforts and sacrifices he must make and has made. And I also imagine that’s what has kept him in this condition at 39 years old.

“But yes, it’s a privilege for me. We are small, we are children, we dream of playing with him one day, and it’s happening. Luckily, I’ve had quite a few years to enjoy the national team with him… Of course, he will be there [at the 2026 World Cup]; he’s not going to give up.”

Ronaldo has been discussing potential retirement recently. Speaking with former United teammate Rio Ferdinand, he suggested that he still has some time left in the sport.

He said: “I'm going to miss the adrenaline of scoring a goal, and [the feeling] of being nervous. I think I'm going to miss that because in other part of me, I can control that.

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“I have good people around me, good business, I have good things. But I [will miss that] the adrenaline of football is never going to exist [again]. This is why I'm going further than football.

“I give everything, to 40, 41, it doesn't matter. I give my body for 25 years of football and I cannot give more because age doesn't allow to go further. This is why I extend and take care of myself and keep working. Because I know for two or three years more I can still produce something good.

“But after that I don't even want to think about that. Let me think in the present and prepare other parts, like my business area. I will miss it and I will probably be a little lost.”

Ronaldo’s most recent appearance was a nightmare for the veteran forward. He missed a late penalty that saw Al-Nassr crash out of the King Cup of Champions against Al-Taawoun - breaking a supporter’s phone in the process.

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