Coach Luis Castro affirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is fully capable of playing at the top level until he is over 40 years old – when the 2026 World Cup takes place.
Al Nassr coach Luis Castro has confirmed that the team’s number 1 star Cristiano Ronaldo could play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the Portuguese team.
‘If Cristiano were in a team, he would be the most perfectionist,’ Castro told Chinese outlet Titan Sports (via Record). ‘The concept of giving up is not in Ronaldo’s dictionary. He always trains at his best so as not to be left behind.’
‘Cristiano is still far from his limit so don’t be surprised if he is in great shape. And I repeat, quality has no age. If he was a 14 or 15-year-old player, people would say he is too young. Overall, Cristiano has quality, he has to play until he is 40 or more.’
Coach Luis Castro believes Ronaldo can play at his peak past the age of 40.
By the time the 2026 World Cup takes place, Ronaldo will be 41 years old. There is no guarantee that the Portuguese superstar can aim for the 6th World Cup of his career, but the above statement by coach Luis Castro has brought a lot of prospects.
The 38-year-old has enjoyed a stellar year for club and country, scoring 54 goals in 59 games in all competitions, 44 of which have come for Al Nassr, with the other 15 coming for Portugal in the Selecao’s successful UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will now play in his sixth European Championship in Germany this summer, and if he continues to have a successful tournament, a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a possibility.
