Kleberson: Cristiano Ronaldo Will Not Retire Until He Wins the World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo will not walk away from football until he has a World Cup winner’s medal in his hands — that is the firm belief of former Manchester United teammate Kleberson, who says the Portuguese captain’s mentality makes it impossible to predict when his career will end.

Speaking in association with BetVictor Online Casino, the Brazilian midfielder — who won the 2002 FIFA World Cup — pointed to Messi’s 2022 triumph with Argentina in Qatar as the primary motivator behind Ronaldo’s refusal to slow down. “Inside of him, he probably feels, ‘Gosh, I have to win the World Cup; I can’t finish my career like this,'” Kleberson told GOAL.

Ronaldo, 41, is Portugal’s all-time leading scorer with 143 international goals and has won five Ballon d’Or awards across a career spanning clubs including Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and his current club Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Despite his age, the forward continues to perform at a high level and is expected to captain Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Kleberson was emphatic in his assessment of Ronaldo’s longevity, going as far as suggesting the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could continue playing into his fifties. “With this kid, I can’t rule anything out!” he said. “If there is something that Cristiano Ronaldo has, it is mental strength. His mentality is so powerful. Then he takes care of himself a lot — his body, the way he plays.”

While acknowledging that Ronaldo’s playing style has naturally evolved over the years, Kleberson maintained that his influence on a match remains significant. “When you watch him now, he is not like the Cristiano Ronaldo of years ago, but he still has an impact… If he wants to play at 50, he can do it! He’s in great shape.”

Kleberson also drew parallels between Ronaldo’s situation and that of other elite players who have yet to win the sport’s most prestigious international trophy. “He has to work hard. It’s not just him; it’s other players. Neymar is also probably thinking, ‘Messi has a World Cup; I don’t. [Erling] Haaland as well; he might not get a World Cup. It’s inside players, inside these top players.”

Beyond the World Cup pursuit, Ronaldo has publicly outlined additional career milestones that continue to fuel his ambitions. He is currently chasing 1,000 career goals across all competitions — a landmark no male professional footballer has officially reached — and has also expressed a desire to play professionally alongside his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., who is progressing through the Al Nassr academy setup. Ronaldo Jr. is reportedly scheduled to make his debut for the club’s youth ranks in the coming months, according to reports.

Portugal, meanwhile, are preparing for Euro 2028 qualifying and the 2026 World Cup, where they will hope to go further than their quarterfinal exit at the 2022 edition in Qatar. Should Ronaldo remain fit and in form through the 2026 tournament, he would be 41 years old during the competition — which would make him one of the oldest outfield players to feature at a World Cup in the modern era. The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 nations, expanding the field from the current 32-team format, potentially offering Portugal more opportunities to progress deep into the tournament.