Cristiano Ronaldo has often insisted that the next World Cup will be his last, but fresh comments from former teammate Nuno Gomes have revived the conversation about a possible Ronaldo retirement delay.
As Portugal prepares for one more run with their captain, questions are growing about whether the football icon might extend his international career long enough to say goodbye on home soil in 2030.
A Final World Cup — or Not Quite?
Ronaldo, now 40, has repeatedly stated that the upcoming tournament in North America will mark the end of his World Cup journey. He has never hidden the fact that age is catching up with him, even though his conditioning remains extraordinary.
His discipline, strict training routines, and unmatched personal standards have allowed him to perform at a level most players in their 20s cannot match.
But despite his determination to draw the curtain after 2026, the possibility of a Ronaldo retirement delay grows harder to dismiss.
A Home Farewell on the Horizon
Nuno Gomes, who played alongside Ronaldo for Portugal across several major tournaments, believes the next World Cup — set to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco — creates what he calls “an opportunity to say goodbye at home.”
Speaking to TalkSport, Gomes said: “It’s a difficult question. I think only him, or maybe not even him, knows the answer. He is going year by year at this age. He is still fit to play and remains a professional example for young players.”
Gomes added that while Ronaldo is no longer the electric winger he once was, he remains an elite finisher — and in football, goals still change everything.
This alone, he suggested, could influence a Ronaldo retirement delay, especially if the star remains capable of scoring at the highest level.
Ageing, but Still Impactful
Although Ronaldo’s speed has naturally declined since his early years, his goal-scoring record continues to impress. Remarkably, his post-30 statistics far exceed what he achieved in his 20s at Manchester United and Real Madrid.
The Al-Nassr star continues to lead the scoring tables in Saudi Arabia and still delivers at international level.
Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martínez has understood how to adapt the team around its ageing striker.
Even if Ronaldo is no longer a guaranteed starter by 2030, his presence — whether on the pitch or on the bench — could still hold enormous value.
That adaptability alone keeps the idea of a Ronaldo retirement delay alive.
A Home World Cup — Too Perfect to Miss?
The 2030 World Cup, which will feature matches in Portugal, presents a symbolic moment. It mirrors the 2004 European Championship, where a young Ronaldo played his first major tournament on home soil.
To return 26 years later for a final farewell would be unprecedented — not only in Portuguese football history but in world football.
If Ronaldo were to stay active until 2030, he would be 45 years old. No outfield player has ever competed in a World Cup at that age. Yet Ronaldo has spent his entire career defying limits that once seemed impossible.
For fans, the dream scenario of a home goodbye makes the idea of a Ronaldo retirement delay undeniably compelling.
World Cup Fate and a Boost from FIFA
Ronaldo’s World Cup campaign received a major boost after his recent red card against Ireland. FIFA placed two matches of his suspension on hold, meaning he will be eligible to play in the 2026 tournament. The decision has stirred debate, with many calling it unprecedented.
Portugal will soon learn their group opponents, but one question remains louder than all others:
Is 2026 truly his last dance?
A Legacy Still Being Written
Ronaldo’s greatest triumph with Portugal came in 2016 when he lifted the European Championship. But his World Cup story has always felt unfinished. His best result remains the 2006 semi-finals — a long time ago for a player who has since broken nearly every major scoring record in the sport.
A final attempt in 2026 may satisfy him. Or, as Gomes suggests, the fire to compete may still burn in four years’ time, especially with the chance to close his career in front of the Portuguese public.
For now, Ronaldo insists he is nearing the end. But football has learned one lesson over the past two decades:
Never rule out a Ronaldo retirement delay.
