The 2026 World Cup is expected to be the last major tournament in Cristiano Ronaldo’s extraordinary career.
The Portuguese legend will lead the Portuguese national team in another quest for glory, with big goals that could make his legacy even more unforgettable. These are the four main challenges that await the 41-year-old in North America.
1. To win the World Cup
Ronaldo’s biggest and most obvious goal is to lift the World Cup trophy. Portugal has never reached the final of this competition, while Cristiano himself has already won the European Championship and the Nations League with the national team.
A World Cup triumph would complete his collection of international trophies and end the perennial debate with those who compare him to Lionel Messi, considering the lack of a World Cup as the only blemish on his career.
For Ronaldo, this is the last and most important mission.
2. To be declared the tournament’s top scorer
Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals in World Cup history seems unattainable, as Ronaldo has scored eight goals in his global appearances.
However, a realistic target is to win the tournament’s Golden Boot. The competition will be strong, with names like Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, but the Portuguese captain can take advantage of the group stage matches to boost his stats.
Interestingly, Ronaldo has never been the top scorer at a World Cup. His personal record remains the 2018 edition, when he scored four goals, but was surpassed by Harry Kane.
3. A “last dance” in the historic rivalry with Messi
The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is one of the greatest in the history of sport. The two icons have faced off in La Liga, the Champions League and individual competitions, but never in the World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup could provide the final chapter of this legendary story. If Portugal and Argentina perform as expected in the tournament, a clash between them could take place as early as the quarter-finals, while the possibility of a dream final is not ruled out.
A victory over Messi on football’s biggest stage would be a historic moment for Ronaldo.
4. Show that you are a team player
One of the most frequent criticisms of Ronaldo in recent years has been that he has often placed personal goals above the needs of the team.
Euro 2024 and the 2022 World Cup brought much discussion about his role in the Portuguese national team, with some analysts arguing that the team could function better without him.
However, Ronaldo has recently shown at Al-Nassr that he is willing to contribute in other ways, creating space for teammates and putting the team above personal statistics.
If he can maintain this approach at the World Cup, Portugal can benefit from the experience, leadership and qualities of one of the greatest footballers of all time.
The 2026 World Cup could be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last chapter on the international stage, but also his last chance to turn his legendary career into a perfect story.
