He will score goals at 42 - Figo backs Ronaldo to start for Portugal at 2026 FIFA World Cup

He will score goals at 42 - Figo backs Ronaldo to start for Portugal at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Hassan Abdulsalam 10:23 - 22.04.2025

Portugal legend has backed Ronaldo to play at the 2026 World Cup

Portuguese legend Luis Figo has emphatically stated his belief that Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to find the back of the net, even suggesting the evergreen forward could still be scoring goals at the age of 42.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, who recently turned 40, continues to defy his age with his prolific goalscoring record for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, having once again surpassed the 30-goal mark this season.  

Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring for Real Madrid in May 2010 (Credit: Imago)

The Portugal captain has also amassed an incredible 219 caps and 136 goals for his nation and shows no signs of international retirement. With Portugal expected to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo is widely anticipated to lead his country in the tournament.  

What Figo said

Figo backed his compatriot to play a key role for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.  

PAY ATTENTION: Check out Bet Of The Day page - we provide expert tips

Speaking at an event in Madrid, Figo expressed his confidence in Ronaldo's enduring quality and longevity.

“He could be a starter [at the World Cup]. Decisive. we have to wait and see. But Cristiano is an example for the whole world in terms of availability, professionalism, talent,” Figo said.

The former Barcelona and Real Madrid star went on to emphasise Ronaldo's innate ability to score.

“And he will always score goals, I think even at 40, even at 42, he will always score goals. Now, whether they are decisive goals, I don’t know, we have to wait and see. For us Portuguese, let’s hope they are always decisive," he added.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi and Ronaldo have shared the stage for a better part of over a decade with the their rivalry peaking during their stints at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. (Credit: Imago) A former Premier League forward has surprisingly omitted one of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in his assessment of the greatest players of all time (Credit: Imago)

If Portugal qualify for the 2026 World Cup and Ronaldo is selected, he will make history as the first player to feature in six World Cup finals.

With Ronaldo himself stating his ambition to reach 1,000 career goals before considering retirement and a contract extension at Al-Nassr expected to keep him at the club until at least the summer of 2026, there is a strong belief that the legendary forward will continue to break records in the twilight years of his remarkable career.

Tags: