Cristiano Ronaldo Júnior Nets First Goal for Portugal U16
On November 11, 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo Júnior achieved a milestone by scoring his inaugural goal for Portugal’s U16 team during their 3-0 victory against Wales. This accomplishment reflects the budding talent of the young forward.
The senior Cristiano Ronaldo, speaking from a training camp in Portugal, indicated that he anticipates his sixth World Cup next year, at the age of 41, will be his final appearance on this stage. In a conversation with CNN’s Becky Anderson, he stated, “Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old.”
He elaborated on his plans to retire, expressing that when he refers to stepping away from football “soon,” he means “probably one, two years.”
Portugal is nearing qualification for the upcoming World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team requires just two points from their remaining qualifying matches against Ireland and Armenia.
With five goals in four qualifying matches, Ronaldo has set a new world record with 143 goals for a national team.
“I feel very good at this moment. I score goals; I still feel quick and sharp; I’m enjoying my game in the national team,” he remarked.
Discussing his imminent retirement, Ronaldo emphasized, “Let’s be honest, when I mean soon, I mean probably one, two years. I’m enjoying the moment. But when I say soon, it’s really soon, because I give everything for football. I’m in the game for the last 25 years; I did everything. I have many records. I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.”
As he prepares for a record sixth World Cup alongside rival Lionel Messi, Ronaldo will surpass German legend Lothar Matthäus, who also participated in six tournaments from 1982 to 1998.
Messi, the captain of Argentina, is arriving as the defending champion and will celebrate his 39th birthday during the group stage in North America.
Additionally, both Portugal and Argentina are slated to be co-hosts for the 2030 World Cup, providing Ronaldo and Messi with the opportunity to conclude their illustrious World Cup journeys at home.
The World Cup has been the one major title that has eluded Ronaldo throughout his remarkable career, despite winning the European Championship with Portugal in 2016.
Earlier this year, Ronaldo secured a two-year contract extension with Al Nassr, committing to the club until June 2027. In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, he reiterated that retirement is on the horizon: “Soon. But I think I will be prepared.” He acknowledged the emotional difficulty of the transition, admitting, “It will be tough, of course. It will be difficult? Yes. Probably I will cry, yes … I’m an open person. It will be very, very difficult, yes.”
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