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September 22, 2026
Ronaldo is continuing with Portugal at 41 after the 2026 World Cup, with Jorge Jesus including him in the latest Nations League squad. With 146 international goals and 977 career goals, Ronaldo still has major records and milestones within reach...
It seemed that when Portugal crashed out of the 2026 World Cup that Cristiano Ronaldo’s career was set to end. He had already stated that it would be his last World Cup and, when Portugal were beaten by Spain, he said he needed time to decide what would happen next. Two months later, the answer is clear. At 41, Ronaldo has been selected by new Portugal coach Jorge Jesus for four Nations League matches between 24 September and 4 October. Rather than stepping away after another major tournament, the most prolific international goalscorer in men's football is all set to carry on.
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived for international duty with Portugal… at 41 years old. 🤯🐐
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) September 22, 2026
23 years after making his debut, he’s STILL going.
👕 233 caps
⚽️ 146 goals
🏆 EURO 2016
🏆🏆 Nations League x2
🌍 Scored at SIX different World Cups
The most-capped player AND… pic.twitter.com/b2Whbo38m3
Ronaldo's international numbers explain why any talk about his future garners huge levels of attention. He has scored 146 goals in 233 appearances for Portugal, having made his senior debut back in 2003. More than two decades later, he remains part of a squad that also contains Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Diogo Dalot and Pedro Neto.
He now has another opportunity to add to those records. Portugal host Wales on 24 September, travel to Norway three days later, visit Denmark on 1 October and then host Norway on 4 October. For anyone following football betting BiggerZ markets, Ronaldo's continued presence remains relevant when looking at Portugal's attacking options and potential goalscorers.
There is a past connection between Ronaldo and Portugal's new coach. Jesus replaced Roberto Martinez following the World Cup exit, but he arrives having worked with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last season. Their time together ended with the club winning the Saudi Pro League for the first time in seven years.
This could well make Ronaldo's continued involvement easier to manage. Jesus already knows the player, his physical condition and what he can offer, while Ronaldo doesn't have to prove himself to a completely new coach. Selection at 41 still has to be earned, particularly in a Portugal squad containing attacking players operating at the highest levels of European football.
The obvious question is how long Ronaldo can continue. He will turn 42 in February and would be 43 by Euro 2028, an age at which almost every elite outfield player has long since retired. Former Portugal defender Pepe currently holds the record as the oldest player to appear at a European Championship, having played at 41 years and 130 days during Euro 2024.
Ronaldo could eventually move beyond that mark if he remains involved through the next European Championship. That is still almost two years away, so simply being selected now doesn't mean he will definitely get there. However, his return for the Nations League does show that the World Cup defeat wasn't the end that everyone expected.
There is another number hanging over the final stage of Ronaldo's career: 1,000 senior career goals. His latest Al-Nassr goal took his career total to 977, leaving him 23 short of four figures. Given his continuing involvement for both club and country, reaching the landmark is no longer seen as being out of reach.
International football could contribute to that pursuit. Ronaldo's 146 Portugal goals are already a record, and every new appearance gives him another opportunity to increase both totals. Those tracking online sports betting BiggerZ markets will still see his name attached to Portugal fixtures while one of football's most unusual late-career statistical chases continues alongside the team's own objectives.
Keeping Ronaldo involved doesn't mean Portugal can build everything around him indefinitely. His age makes workload, starting roles and substitutions legitimate considerations, while Portugal has enough attacking quality for Jesus to use different approaches. Ronaldo doesn't necessarily need to play every minute to remain useful to the national team.
That could actually help extend his international career. A reduced role doesn't have to mean an insignificant one, particularly for a player with his penalty-area instincts and enormous experience. The challenge now for Jesus is balancing what Ronaldo can still provide with the need to develop a side capable of succeeding after he eventually leaves.
Ronaldo has spent much of his career pushing milestones beyond levels that once looked improbable. Playing international football at 41 is another example, particularly for an attacking player whose Portugal career began 23 years ago. Reaching 250 caps, 150 international goals or 1,000 career goals are all now figures close enough to attract attention.
None is guaranteed, and Euro 2028 remains a long way off. What is certain is that Ronaldo has chosen not to finish with Portugal after the disappointment of the World Cup. With 233 caps, 146 international goals and 977 career goals, there are still records to extend and one enormous landmark sitting tantalisingly within reach.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Portugal is on September 24, against Wales, for the UEFA Nations League. You can watch Portugal vs Wales, Italy vs Belgium, Turkey vs France, England vs Spain, Czech Republic vs Croatia and Netherlands vs Germany, all matches provided from our streaming football game pages.
Portugal next game:
Portugal vs Wales kick-off time (24-09-2026):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 03:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 00:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+4: 23:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+2: 21:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+1: 20:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 16:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 15:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 12:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / bbc.com
