Cristiano Ronaldo set to announce shock retirement after World Cup 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo's sister revealed to reporters that the 2026 World Cup will be his last dance on the international stage, and the Portuguese icon has responded.

The iconic #7 is starting in tonight's Round of 32 World Cup clash vs Croatia, despite initial rumours that he would be relegated to the bench vs the Luka Modrić-led side.

Ronaldo bagged his ninth and 10th World Cup career goals against Uzbekistan last month, during a comprehensive 5-0 victory for Portugal in the group stage.

His long-time and greatest rival, Lionel Messi, is leading the Golden Boot race at the tournament, and is now the World Cup's all-time highest scorer.

Despite an underwhelming individual performance against Colombia, in a 0-0 draw that took Portugal out of the group's top spot, Ronaldo has retained his starting status, but tonight could be his last ever appearance on the world stage for his nation should Croatia prevail.

The Portuguese legend's sister has seemingly confirmed to reporters in the build-up to the event that the World Cup 2026 will be the iconic #7's final international appearance.

Cristiano Ronaldo's sister claims he will retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup

Katia Aveiro, Ronaldo's sister, spoke to Sport TV prior to the Round of 16 match between Portugal and Croatia to discuss her brother's future on the international stage.

“Enjoy it while it lasts," said Aveiro, cryptically. "It's ending soon. The info I have, from a reliable source… this is his last dance," she continued, not so cryptically.

“I believe it’s not today that they’ll say goodbye, but it’s coming soon. I strongly believe this is the farewell.

“So enjoy it a lot because it will be difficult to find someone after 200 goals. I’m talking about the Portuguese national team," Aveiro continued.

Ronaldo, who won the 2016 UEFA European Championship with Portugal and prevailed twice in the UEFA Nations League, was spoken of highly by his sister, with a pointed message to fans who criticise the former Real Madrid man.

"For intelligent people, those who like football, they have to like Ronaldo. They're the ones who lose out," she said.

"He's been dominating for over 20 years. Look where we are, the Aveiro family... and where we come from. Look at the suffering my mother went through."

Aveiro concluded: "Do you think the criticism is going to affect our happiness? Never!"

If tonight is to be Ronaldo's final dance on the international stage for Portugal, he could cap his illustrious career off with an unprecedented knock-out goal.

Shockingly, the #7 has never bagged in the tournament's knock-out stages, despite playing eight of such matches in 2006, 2010, 2018 and 2022.

Ronaldo recently overtook Eusebio as the nation's highest World Cup scorer with 10 strikes, after the latter got nine in his sole 1966 campaign.

In UEFA European Championship matches, the winger will retire from international with 12 goals, across a 20-year span from 2004 to 2024.

In the Nations League, Ronaldo will end his Portugal career with 15 strikes, one of which came in his team's final victory against Spain last year.

Cristiano Ronaldo responds after Portugal's 2-1 victory against Croatia

After Portugal's 2-1 Round of 32 victory against Croatia, in which the latter side were dealt one of the most controversial offside blows in World Cup history, Ronaldo spoke on the rumours created by his sibling.

"I don't make reckless decisions," said the #7, who ended a 20-year-long heartbreak with Portugal at the World Cup tonight. "I will decide after the tournament, not now."