Ronaldo Aims for World Cup Qualification as He Approaches Retirement
FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Republic of Ireland vs. Portugal
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Thursday, 13 November Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Coverage: Live text commentary available on the BBC Sport website.
In July 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines as he arrived in Dublin, hailed as the most talked-about footballer in the world. Over the past 16 years, remarkably little has changed, even as he begins to contemplate retirement.
Back then, the Portuguese superstar was in the city to make his debut for Real Madrid at Shamrock Rovers' Tallaght Stadium. This Thursday, just eight miles away at Aviva Stadium, he aims to achieve another significant milestone by securing qualification for his sixth World Cup, set to take place in North America next summer, which he has confirmed will be his last.
Ronaldo's debut in the iconic white shirt came shortly after he received the first of his five Ballon d'Or awards. Although it has been eight years since he last claimed the prestigious accolade, the transition from himself and Lionel Messi—who collectively won the award 12 times in 13 years—to emerging stars like Ousmane Dembélé, Erling Haaland, and Lamine Yamal has not been reflected off the field.
A recent interview with Piers Morgan showcased that even nine months after turning 40, no player in the world generates headlines quite like the former Manchester United star.
Ronaldo is not alone in maintaining high performance levels well beyond what was once considered retirement age. LeBron James, who entered the NBA as a teenager, continues to play alongside his son for the Los Angeles Lakers at age 40. Similarly, tennis legend Novak Djokovic recently announced his intention to defend his Olympic title in Los Angeles 2028, by which time he will be 41.
Portuguese football journalist Miguel L. Pereira believes that the length of Ronaldo's career is becoming an integral part of his narrative. "I think it defines him, defines his personality. He has always been concerned about how he will be remembered, how people will talk about him in 15 or 20 years. From the mid-2010s, he realized he wouldn’t win the emotional comparison with Messi, so he decided to focus on trophies and goals scored—things that are quantifiable. That’s why he keeps going," Pereira explained.
As the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football and the Champions League, and one of only six players to compete in five World Cups, what could be Ronaldo's next goals? While there is no universally accepted database for men's football's all-time top scorers, Ronaldo has already surpassed 950 career goals and previously expressed to former teammate Rio Ferdinand that reaching 1,000 is the "most important" remaining target of his career.
Ronaldo's longevity has allowed him to play alongside three generations of teammates. When he made his international debut against Kazakhstan in August 2003, he was captained by Fernando Couto, who was born when England last held the World Cup title and before The Beatles disbanded. After winning Euro 2016 with a core group of players his age, he now leads a squad that includes three players who were born after his first cap.
Spending 22 years in the same national team has required him to adapt his playing style. The days of his explosive runs from the wing are gone, and he now plays as a traditional number nine—an increasingly rare role in modern football, presenting a tactical challenge for manager Roberto Martinez and his teammates.
It was revealing when former Manchester United teammate John O'Shea, now an assistant coach for the Republic of Ireland, was asked how to contain Ronaldo at the Aviva Stadium. He emphasized the importance of clearing crosses and defending the box, noting, "He doesn’t run much; he’s more of a forward in a time when strikers who only operate in the box are almost extinct." Pereira added, "He’s the kind of player who doesn’t fit the patterns seen in top teams today. He wouldn’t play for PSG or Bayern Munich. Younger players accustomed to teams like PSG or Chelsea may feel limited by their style because they cannot replicate the same things they do at their clubs."
For some, Portugal’s Euro 2024 exit on penalties to France felt like a natural conclusion for Ronaldo’s international career. However, he has scored 13 goals since then. Gonçalo Ramos's case for replacing the legendary captain in the national squad is complicated by his limited playing time at Paris Saint-Germain.
Whether Ronaldo's current form is an asset or a liability is open to interpretation, but there is no denying who remains the central figure in this narrative. With the sixth World Cup on the horizon, the duration of this final chapter in Ronaldo's illustrious career remains uncertain.