Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for his sixth and likely final World Cup, a milestone that places him in an elite category alongside his long-time rival Lionel Messi. This tournament will be the first for the Portugal captain since he left European football to join Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in late 2022, a move that shocked the football world and raised questions about his ability to maintain the highest level of performance. At 41 years old, Ronaldo is determined to silence his critics by leading his national team deep into the competition in what he has confirmed will be his last attempt to win the World Cup.

The surprise transfer to Al Nassr came after a turbulent second stint at Manchester United, where Ronaldo felt undervalued and sought a new challenge. The reported salary of $200 million per year made him one of the highest-paid athletes in history, but many pundits and fans interpreted the move as a step away from elite competition. They argued that the Saudi Pro League, while growing, lacked the intensity and quality of Europe's top five leagues. Ronaldo himself has consistently defended his decision, stating that critics have never played in such challenging conditions and that the heat and physical demands of the Saudi league make scoring there as difficult as in Spain.

Since arriving in Riyadh, Ronaldo has silenced many doubters with his goal-scoring record. In his debut half-season (2022-23), he netted 14 goals in 16 matches. His first full season saw him score a league-record 35 goals in 31 games, earning him the top scorer award. The following season he added 25 goals in 30 appearances, and so far in the 2024-25 campaign, he has scored 26 times in 29 outings, putting him just five goals behind the league leader, Ivan Toney of Al Ahli. These numbers demonstrate that his prolific finishing has not diminished despite his age and the perceived lower level of competition.

Ronaldo's form for Portugal has also remained impressive. Since moving to Saudi Arabia, he has scored 25 goals in his last 30 international appearances, including eight goals during Portugal's victorious UEFA Nations League campaign in 2025. He scored in the final against Spain, helping secure the title and proving his enduring value to the national team. Even when he went scoreless in five European Championship matches in 2024, his overall contribution to the team's quarterfinal run was recognized by coach Roberto Martínez.

Martínez has been unwavering in his support of Ronaldo, emphasizing the forward's hunger and professionalism. "He keeps performing and he keeps showing his value and he keeps showing that he is important for the national team," the coach said. "To have that hunger when you've won everything in the game is quite remarkable. And that's without getting away from the fact that to be in the national team you need to be somebody that can help the team now and not with what you've done in the past." This statement underscores the selection philosophy that Ronaldo must earn his place based on current performance, not past glories.

Ronaldo's career achievements are staggering. He is the all-time leading scorer in men's international football with 143 goals in 226 appearances, both records. He is also the only man to have scored in five different World Cup tournaments, a feat he achieved by finding the net in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. His 22 World Cup appearances are the most by any male player, and he has scored eight goals in those matches. Despite these individual milestones, the World Cup trophy has eluded him; Portugal's best result under his captaincy was a fourth-place finish in 2006 and a round-of-16 exit in 2022.

Now in his sixth World Cup, Ronaldo joins Messi as the only male players to have played in six editions. Messi, of course, won the tournament in 2022, adding extra motivation for Ronaldo to finally capture the elusive prize. The Portugal squad is filled with talented players such as João Félix, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva, giving the team a strong chance to go far. Félix, who plays alongside Ronaldo at both Al Nassr and Portugal, praised the veteran's influence. "All the efforts Cristiano makes and what he does on the pitch, which he has experienced more than all of us together, which he puts in every day and every game, is unique," Félix told the Saudi Pro League. "And that we see him, at 40 years old, doing what he does, only gives us more motivation."

Ronaldo has also been a key figure in Al Nassr's quest for their first Saudi league title since 2019. The club is currently competing for the championship, and Ronaldo's 100th Saudi Pro League goal came in May 2025 in his 105th league appearance, further highlighting his consistency. Off the pitch, he has helped raise the profile of the league and attracted other high-profile players, but his primary focus remains on the World Cup.

Despite his age, Ronaldo maintains a rigorous fitness regimen that includes advanced recovery techniques and strict diet. A hamstring injury sustained in late February 2025 sidelined him briefly, but he recovered quickly and returned to scoring form. His longevity is often attributed to his mental strength and determination to remain at the top. Coach Martínez acknowledged the challenge of predicting Ronaldo's future. "It's difficult for me to say, because obviously I've learned very quickly not to predict the future with Cristiano, just because he's got this elite brain about being the best that he can be today. And I'm thinking if you ask him, he'll tell you the same. He doesn't make plans."

This World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and Ronaldo's last appearance is sure to draw enormous attention. Whether he can lead Portugal to their first world title remains to be seen, but his journey from a small island in Madeira to the highest echelons of football is already legendary. The tournament will test whether his move to Saudi Arabia was a step back or merely a different path to continuing his remarkable career.

Source: MSN News