SouthernWorldwide.com – The 2026 FIFA World Cup is widely anticipated to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final appearance on the global stage. However, a former teammate believes this might not be the case, suggesting that Ronaldo could continue playing well beyond that tournament.
Former England striker Teddy Sheringham has expressed his belief that Ronaldo possesses the physical capabilities and the unwavering mental drive to continue his playing career until he reaches the age of 50. Despite the immense physical demands of professional football, Sheringham points to Ronaldo’s exceptionally disciplined approach to his fitness as a key differentiator.
Speaking to BOYLE Sports, a platform offering World Cup odds, Sheringham remarked on Ronaldo’s longevity. “Could Cristiano Ronaldo play into his 50s at this rate? It wouldn’t surprise me when you look at his body at 41. He’s still as fit as a fiddle,” he stated. Sheringham highlighted Ronaldo’s consistent dedication to his physical conditioning over the past 15 years, attributing his remarkable fitness to a dedicated personal training team.
He further elaborated, “As long as he still has the desire then he will keep going but it’s tough when you get to that age, getting out of bed every day to go and do your training.” Ronaldo’s legendary commitment to his profession is well-documented, encompassing stringent dietary regimes, cryotherapy treatments, and a rigorous training regimen that has enabled him to maintain his prolific scoring form well into his 40s. This contrasts sharply with the typical retirement age for most footballers, which is usually in their mid-30s.
Sheringham acknowledged Ronaldo’s continued goal-scoring prowess. “I’m sure he still loves what he’s doing and he’s playing in a league that’s obviously not as strong as other competitions around the world,” he said. However, he added, “but if you’re still scoring goals and people still want you to play, then why not keep going. He has an air of invincibility around him, and he’s got the body as well and the fitness, so I think we’ve got plenty of years of Ronaldo to come yet.”
Despite his ongoing success in finding the back of the net, Sheringham does not foresee the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar making a return to the top European leagues. Having achieved numerous accolades, including Champions League titles and domestic championships in England, Spain, and Italy, the chapter of his European career seems to be definitively closed, even with the recent appointment of Jose Mourinho as the manager of Los Blancos.
“Can I see Cristiano Ronaldo coming back to Real Madrid to play under Jose Mourinho again? Definitely not. He will not be coming back to Europe,” Sheringham asserted. While fans may harbor hopes of a sentimental return to one of his former clubs, the current financial landscape and tactical demands of modern European football make such a move highly improbable at this stage of his career.
Should Ronaldo opt to depart the Middle East before ultimately retiring from the sport, Sheringham speculates that a move to the United States could represent the next logical step. The prospect of him joining Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer (MLS) would undoubtedly be a significant boon for the sport’s popularity in North America. Sheringham believes the Portuguese icon would face little difficulty in dominating the league.
Sheringham further commented, “He might go to America though if he wants to experience something else. You could see that, and he’d certainly light MLS up like no one else can. Maybe it will all come down to what he wants to do once he finally does retire.” For the present, Ronaldo’s focus remains firmly on his commitments in the Saudi Pro League and pursuing World Cup glory. Portugal is scheduled to commence their 2026 tournament campaign on Wednesday, facing DR Congo in Group K. The possibility of Ronaldo continuing his career into his 50s is a notion that is increasingly being considered as a genuine prospect, rather than mere speculation.
