Cristiano Ronaldo is chasing one more shot at football’s biggest prize, and at 41, he is doing it on a body that has defied the usual rules of ageing. The Portuguese forward turned 41 on February 5, 2026, making him the second oldest outfield star at this year’s World Cup. He has already confirmed his intention to play, and he will lead Portugal out as captain for what would be a record sixth World Cup appearance. Here is everything confirmed about his age, his current club situation, his form heading into the tournament, and the legacy he has built off the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo FIFA 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Date of birth | February 5, 1985 |
| Age in 2026 | 41 |
| Birthplace | Funchal, Madeira, Portugal |
| Current club | Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Pro League |
| Contract extension | Signed late 2025, runs through 2026-27 |
| Height | 1.85 metres |
| Position | Centre-Forward |
| Ballon d’Or wins | 5 (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) |
| National team role | Captain of Portugal |
How old is Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup
Ronaldo is 41 years old heading into his sixth World Cup appearance, a record no other player has matched. He is only surpassed in age at the tournament by Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who is 43 years and 162 days old. Ronaldo sits among eight players aged 40 or above competing this summer, a group that includes respected veterans like Manuel Neuer, Luka Modric, and Edin Dzeko. However, none of them carry his trophy haul, and none arrive with his level of recent goal output either.
Is Ronaldo confirmed to play, and what is his role with Portugal
Ronaldo has confirmed he intends to play at the 2026 World Cup in North America, and he remains Portugal’s captain heading into the tournament. Portugal qualified comfortably for the finals, with Ronaldo contributing a team-high five goals across qualifying as the side won four of six matches. Under manager Roberto Martinez, he is expected to start as the team’s central striker, though his game has shifted with age. He still finishes chances at an elite rate, but he offers little defensively now and no longer drives Portugal’s build-up the way he once did. That means players like Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leão will be relied upon to create his chances, while Joao Neves and Joao Palhinha anchor the midfield behind them.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo still scoring goals
Ronaldo’s finishing has not slowed down much despite his age. He ranked third in the Saudi Pro League for goals during the 2025-26 season, scoring 28 times across 30 appearances for Al-Nassr. In the two seasons before that, he actually topped the league’s scoring charts, netting 35 and then 25 goals respectively.
His form carried over into the international stage too. Beyond his qualifying goals, Ronaldo scored the winning goal for Portugal in the UEFA Nations League semifinal against Germany in June 2025, a 2-1 victory that sent his country through to the final. He then scored again in the final itself, helping level the match against Spain before Portugal won on penalties.
Cristiano Ronaldo 2025-26 season stats
| Stat (per 90 minutes) | 2025-26 (Al-Nassr) |
| Goals | 0.97 |
| Shots | 5.57 |
| Shots on target | 2.08 |
| Shot conversion rate | 14.00% |
Where does Ronaldo’s club career stand right now
Ronaldo remains at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he joined in January 2023. He signed a contract extension in late 2025 that now runs through the 2026-27 season, confirming he will stay with the club well beyond this summer’s World Cup. That deal settles any lingering questions about his future, at least for the next year.
The records Ronaldo already holds
Ronaldo carries two records that set him apart from every other player in the sport’s history. He became the first men’s player to reach 900 official career goals in 2024, and he stands as the all-time leading international goal scorer for any male footballer, a tally built largely through his 18 years with Portugal’s national team.
How does Ronaldo compare to Messi right now
Ronaldo’s raw scoring numbers look impressive on paper, but that does not necessarily mean he outproduces Lionel Messi at this stage. Messi remains one of MLS’s most dominant players, consistently posting double-digit numbers in both goals and assists since joining the league. While the Saudi Pro League has improved in recent years, it still does not match the level of competition found in MLS. Messi also recently became the oldest player ever to record a World Cup hat-trick, an achievement that seems unlikely for Ronaldo given his struggles at the 2022 tournament, where he managed just one goal and no assists across five matches.
A brief look at Ronaldo’s career milestones
Ronaldo built his legacy across some of football’s biggest clubs. He started at Sporting Lisbon before making his name at Manchester United in 2003. A then record-breaking transfer took him to Real Madrid in 2009, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer. He later joined Juventus in 2018, returned briefly to Manchester United in 2021, and signed with Al-Nassr in December 2022.
His path to the top was not without obstacles either. At age 15, Ronaldo was diagnosed with a heart condition that required surgery, but he made a full recovery and went on to build one of the most decorated careers in the sport’s history.
Personal life and philanthropy
Away from football, Ronaldo is a father of five. His children include Cristiano Jr., twins Eva and Mateo, Alana Martina, and Bella Esmeralda. He has been in a long-term relationship with Georgina Rodríguez for several years now. Ronaldo has also built a significant philanthropic record, regularly supporting children’s hospitals and contributing to disaster relief efforts in Portugal.
Endorsements and net worth
Ronaldo remains one of the most marketable athletes in sports history. His CR7 brand spans shoes, underwear, and fragrances, and he holds a lifetime endorsement deal with Nike, joining only Michael Jordan and LeBron James in that distinction. In October 2025, he became the first active football player declared a billionaire, with Bloomberg estimating his net worth at $1.4 billion.
For many fans, this summer’s tournament represents Ronaldo’s last realistic shot at finally lifting the World Cup, the one major prize that has eluded him throughout an otherwise unmatched career.
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