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March 13, 2026
Ronaldo is one of the most talked-about celebrities on the planet. He's transcended football and entered the mainstream, making him a regular topic of conversation. With the end of his football career coming into view, what can we expect of Ronaldo in the present and what's next for the global superstar?
Ronaldo’s story has entered a fascinating stretch. The goals are still coming, the spotlight has not dimmed, and yet the bigger questions now sit just beyond the next match. Can he reach 1,000 career goals? Can Portugal make one last World Cup run with him still involved? And when the final whistle eventually comes on one of football’s greatest careers, what shape will the next chapter take? From unfinished business on the pitch to growing influence off it, Ronaldo stands at a rare crossroads where the present still feels huge, but the future feels just as compelling...
Cristiano Ronaldo - Hello
While there's nothing set in stone in terms of Cristiano Ronaldo calling time on his international career, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will undoubtedly be the last time he plays in a World Cup finals. As a footballer, Ronaldo has won everything there is to win, including the European championships with Portugal, but winning the World Cup would be some achievement.
As Ronaldo has said himself, his career won't be defined by winning or not winning the World Cup, as he's already proven himself to be one of the greatest players ever to live. The best sporting odds only see Portugal as having an outside chance to lift the coveted World Cup trophy in North America this summer, but if there's a player for the big moments in tournament football, it's Ronaldo.
The most talked about thing about Ronaldo right now is his desire to score 1000 goals, and potentially surpass it. At the time of writing, he's scored 965 career goals, which are made up of goals scored at both club and international level. With 35 more goals required to get to 1000, it's a matter of when he achieves it, rather than if. It's unlikely to happen between now and the end of the current season with Al-Nassr, especially as he's currently out injured.
It's also unlikely to happen during the World Cup, but it would still be possible. What a stage it would be to score 1000 career goals on. Most likely, Ronaldo will hit the target at some point next season, with his contract running until 2027 with Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo went from being a promising young footballer to a superstar and then into a brand. Over the years, Ronaldo has worked with multiple leading brands, while also launching many products and services under his own name. These steps were made purposefully, with life after football always on the mind of Ronaldo and those around him. While he may not plan to call time on his playing career anytime soon, even though he's in his forties, the transition into life after football will be seamless.
Recently, it was confirmed that Ronaldo had bought a stake in La Liga 2 outfit UD Almeria. While there's been no suggestion he plans to go into coaching or management when his playing days are over, operating on the business side of the sport could be the step he takes. This idea is strengthened by the reports that Ronaldo plans to invest more money into the sport in the coming years.
Cristiano Ronaldo will go down in history as a legend of the game for what he's achieved on it. He's broken records and achieved many things people didn't think were possible. He'll score 1000+ goals and still be playing beyond the age of 41, which is an achievement in itself. All of that is without doubt. But what he does after football remains intriguing, as he has so many avenues he can explore.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on March 14, against Al Khaleej, for the Saudi Pro League. You can watch Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr, Real Madrid vs Elche, Burnley vs AFC Bournemouth, West Ham vs Manchester City, Arsenal vs Everton and Chelsea vs Newcastle, all matches provided from our soccer streaming game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr kick-off time (14-03-2026):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 01:30
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 23:00
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+3: 20:30
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 18:30
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 17:30
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 14:30
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 13:30
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 10:30
Sources: ronaldo7.net / bbc.com / espn.co.uk
