Cristiano Ronaldo Ends Retirement Suspense After Sister's Post-FIFA World Cup Bomb
Cristiano Ronaldo has calmed the talks of a potential retirement from international football after his sister's revelation.
- Cristiano Ronaldo's sister claimed he will retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup
- Ronaldo denied finalising plans mid-tournament, saying he will decide after Portugal's campaign ends
- Ronaldo became the oldest scorer in a World Cup knockout match at 41 years and 147 days
Not long before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia in Toronto, Cristiano Ronaldo's sister dropped a bomb on the former Real Madrid man's future. Ronaldo, who is the captain of the Portugal side in the World Cup at the age of 41, is in the twilight of his career, but his sister revealed that the former Real Madrid man has decided to retire from international football at the end of this World Cup. With the match against Croatia being a knockout contest for Portugal, fans started to breathe easy, realising that it might be the last time they would be seeing the goalscoring icon in international football. However, Ronaldo decided to calm the fans' nerves himself, saying he isn't any mood to take a 'reckless' decision over potential retirement from international football in the middle of the tournament.
Speaking after Portugal's thrilling 2-1 win over Croatia in the Round of 32 on Thursday (local time), Ronaldo said he was focused solely on the tournament and would take a decision on his future only after Portugal's campaign comes to an end, quashing fears spread by his own sister.
"I don't make reckless decisions," Ronaldo said after Portugal's win over Croatia on Thursday (local time), as quoted by FOX Sports
"I will decide after the tournament, not now," the 41-year-old great added.
During the clash, Ronaldo etched his name into the history books by becoming the oldest player to score in a FIFA World Cup knockout match. The 41-year-old reached the milestone at the age of 41 years and 147 days, surpassing the previous record for the oldest goalscorer in a World Cup knockout fixture.
Interestingly, it is also the first-ever goal in Knockout matches for Al-Nassr captain Ronaldo, who is featuring in his record sixth FIFA World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo: "He jugado con Luka y durante muchos años, y tenemos casi la misma edad, es una LEYENDA y sigue siendo una LEYENDA.
— (fan) REAL MADRID FANS 🤍 (@AdriRM33) July 3, 2026
Le he dicho muchas veces: Luka, felicitaciones por todo, siempre me alegra verte de nuevo amigo."
pic.twitter.com/nD129vQfaQ
Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot in the 67th minute after a VAR review awarded Portugal a spot-kick, cancelling out Ivan Perisic's opener for Croatia and bringing Roberto Martinez's side level.
The legendary footballer was also named Player of the Match for his superb performance throughout the match.
Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, with substitute Goncalo Ramos heading home a stoppage-time winner to send Roberto Martinez's side into the Round of 16.
Croatia had taken the lead through Ivan Perisic, who became the country's all-time leading World Cup scorer, before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot after a VAR review.
Croatia had two goals ruled out for offside, including a late equaliser deep into stoppage time, as Portugal held on to set up an all-Iberian Round of 16 clash against Spain. The match also marked the end of Luka Modric's potential World Cup career.
With ANI Inputs
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