Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for his sixth and likely final FIFA World Cup, aiming to show that his move to Saudi Arabia has not affected his ability to perform at the highest level.
The tournament will be Ronaldo’s first World Cup since leaving European football in late 2022 to join Al Nassr.
The transfer surprised many in the football world and raised questions about whether playing in a less competitive league would affect his form. But Ronaldo, who turned 41 in February, has rejected suggestions that his performance has declined.
He has continued scoring regularly for both Al Nassr and the Portugal national football team.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez said Ronaldo remains highly motivated and continues to prove his value.
“He keeps performing and he keeps showing his value and he keeps showing that he is important for the national team,” Martínez said. “To have that hunger when you’ve won everything in the game is quite remarkable.”
Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are set to become the first players to appear in six World Cups.
Ronaldo holds the record for the most appearances for a men’s national team with 226 matches and is also the top scorer in international football with 143 goals. He is the only male player to score in five different World Cups.
Martínez said Ronaldo is judged on his current performances, not his past achievements.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr midway through the 2022-23 season after leaving Manchester United. He reportedly accepted a contract worth $200 million a year and said he wanted to help change perceptions of Saudi football.
The move drew criticism, with some fans and analysts saying he had effectively stepped away from elite competition.
Ronaldo has consistently defended the Saudi Pro League, claiming it is stronger than both the French and Portuguese leagues.
“The numbers don’t lie,” Ronaldo said in an interview with Piers Morgan. “For me it is easier to score in Spain than score in Saudi.”
His move has not affected his form with Portugal. Since joining Al Nassr, Ronaldo has scored 25 goals in his last 30 international matches.
He failed to score in five matches at the 2024 European Championship, where Portugal reached the quarterfinals.
In 2025, Ronaldo helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League, scoring one of his eight goals in the tournament in the final against Spain national football team.
Despite turning 41, Ronaldo has maintained excellent fitness. After recovering quickly from a hamstring injury suffered in February, he scored his 100th Saudi Pro League goal on May 7 in his 105th league appearance for Al Nassr.
The club is chasing its first Saudi league title since 2019.
Portugal and Al Nassr teammate João Félix said Ronaldo’s dedication continues to inspire younger players.
Ronaldo scored 14 goals in 16 matches in his first season in Saudi Arabia. In his first full campaign, he netted 35 goals in 31 games to set a new league scoring record.
He also led Al Nassr to the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, scoring twice in the final.
In the 2024-25 season, he scored 25 goals in 30 matches. This season, he has scored 26 goals in 29 appearances and is five goals behind Ivan Toney of Al Ahli in the race for the league’s top scorer award.
Ronaldo has said this will definitely be his final attempt to win the World Cup, although he has not indicated when he plans to retire.
Martínez said predicting Ronaldo’s future is impossible.
“I’ve learned very quickly not to predict the future with Cristiano,” he said. “He doesn’t make plans.”