Cristiano Ronaldo’s extraordinary Portugal story may now be entering its final chapter, with his sister Katia Aveiro suggesting that the World Cup will be the 41-year-old’s last dance with the national team.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to retire from international football after the World Cup
The claim was made by his sister Katia Aveiro, who was speaking before Portugal vs Croatia
Speaking outside the stadium before Portugal’s tense knockout clash with Croatia, Aveiro said supporters could begin preparing to say goodbye. She made clear she was talking about Ronaldo’s international future, describing this tournament as the end of a journey that has stretched across more than two decades.
The timing made the moment even more dramatic. Hours later, Ronaldo started against Croatia, earned his 232nd international cap and scored from the penalty spot in Portugal’s gripping 2-1 victory. The goal was another piece of history, taking him to 146 for his country and making him the first 41-year-old to feature in a World Cup knockout match.
For Ronaldo, this tournament has already been full of emotion, pressure and debate. He endured criticism after Portugal’s opener against DR Congo, with some questioning whether the team still functioned smoothly around him. Tension around the squad grew louder after social media rows and claims that his place in Roberto Martinez’s side had become a major talking point.
Ronaldo opened his account by scoring twice against Uzbekistan, making him the first man to score in six World Cups
But Ronaldo responded the only way he knows how: by scoring. His brace against Uzbekistan made him the first man to score at six different World Cups, a record that again underlined his remarkable longevity. Then, against Croatia, he produced another decisive moment from the spot as Portugal fought back from behind to keep their dream alive.
Aveiro defended her brother strongly, saying that football fans should appreciate what Ronaldo has given to the game. Her comments reflected the loyalty that has surrounded him throughout a career built on goals, records and relentless self-belief.
If this is truly Ronaldo’s final tournament for Portugal, it brings added weight to every touch, every celebration and every match still to come. He will be 43 by Euro 2028 and 45 when Portugal co-hosts the next World Cup with Spain and Morocco, making another major international cycle difficult to imagine.
Aveiro’s comments come after she also sparked claims of tension within the Portugal camp
Yet Ronaldo has never seemed interested in leaving quietly. His career with Portugal began with early goals, grew through triumph at Euro 2016 and continued through one record-breaking chapter after another.
Now, as Portugal move forward in the World Cup, the question is no longer just whether Ronaldo can keep scoring. It is whether he can deliver one final unforgettable ending before saying goodbye to the shirt that made him a national icon.
