Why might Cristiano Ronaldo return to play in the 2030 World Cup?
On 11 June 2026 GMT+7, after Portugal lost to Spain and was eliminated in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, the legendary player Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, might have played his last World Cup match.
However, this possibility may no longer be certain, as the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) appointed 71-year-old coach Jorge Jesus as the new team manager on a four-year contract. His arrival could convince Ronaldo to return to play in the 2030 World Cup.
It was also noted that Jesus recently led Al Nassr to win the Saudi Pro League and has worked extensively with Ronaldo, building a strong relationship. This bond, combined with Ronaldo's abundant confidence, leads many to expect that Jesus will push to keep Ronaldo as a team cornerstone, provided he remains physically fit.
Although Ronaldo faced heavy criticism for his less impressive performance in the 2026 World Cup tournament, throughout his national team career, he has undoubtedly been a major contributor to Portugal's successes.