Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he could play on until the 2026 World Cup by setting an insane Portugal target.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Earlier this year Ronaldo became the first ever male player to make 200 appearances at international level.

However, according to Portugal boss Roberto Martinez, the 38-year-old is determined to reach 250 caps. If he is to reach that milestone, he would likely have to play at the 2026 World Cup finals.

WHAT ROBERTO MARTINEZ SAID

In an interview with former Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg, Martinez shared a conversation he had with Ronaldo after being appointed Portugal manager.

He said: “He [Ronaldo] was very close to reaching 200 caps, something nobody has ever done before.

“I said [to Ronaldo] is 200 caps something that interests you or not? He said, ‘250 interests me’.”

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ronaldo is now sitting on 205 caps for Portugal – nine more than the previous record set by Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa – and has scored a world record 128 international goals.

If he is to reach his 250-cap target, he’ll likely have to turn out at the 2026 World Cup aged 41.

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WHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

He may be 38 years old, but the five-time Ballon d’Or is poised to finish 2023 as the top male goalscorer in the world with 53 goals for club and country.

With that in mind, perhaps it’s not so far-fetched to imagine the Al-Nassr superstar playing at the next World Cup, especially given the fact it remains the one major trophy that still eludes him.