Katia Aveiro, sister of Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, confirmed that he will play his final matches with the team during the 2026 World Cup.
Katia explained that Ronaldo, the Al-Nassr striker, will retire from international football after Portugal's journey in the 2026 World Cup ends.
Katia Aveiro said in statements reported by the Spanish newspaper AS: "According to the information I have, he can say goodbye to the national team... not today, but I think this is the final farewell."
She added: "Will Cristiano participate in Euro 2028? I say this from a reliable source; it's his last dance in the World Cup... I'm only talking about the national team."
She continued: "The most important thing is to enjoy these twenty years we've spent together, I am very proud of him... I was with him at the Qatar World Cup, and here I am... He is a great source of pride."
Regarding the criticism directed at Cristiano in the World Cup, she said: "For intelligent people, and football fans, they must admire Cristiano, they are the losers."
She added: "Ronaldo has dominated the scene for more than twenty years... Look at our situation, do you think this criticism will affect our happiness? Never."
Katia Aveiro concluded her statements by saying: "I am very confident in him, and we will smile in the end, and Ronaldo is also confident in himself; he is less stressed than us."
The United States of America will host the 2026 World Cup, along with Mexico and Canada, with 48 teams participating for the first time in the tournament's history, from June 11 to July 19.
