How old is Cristiano Ronaldo? Portugal star is second-oldest player at World Cup

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Cristiano Ronaldo is outlasting Father Time at the 2026 World Cup.

The Portugal star is set to compete in the round of 16 for the fifth time in his international career when Portugal plays Spain at AT&T Stadium — known as Dallas Stadium during the tournament — at 3 p.m. ET on Monday, July 6.

To help Seleção das Quinas reach the round of 16, Ronaldo scored his first-ever knockout-round goal in Portugal’s 2-1 round of 32 win over Croatia on Thursday, July 2 in Toronto. Ronaldo scored his 11th career World Cup goal on a penalty kick in the 68th minute.

REQUIRED READING: Cristiano Ronaldo not thinking about potential World Cup finale

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Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion

US forward #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.

(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)

Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States scores his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Richard Heathcote, Getty Images)

Cesar Samudio #12 of Panama fails to save a shot from Giovanni Reyna #7 of the United States as he scores his team’s fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)

US midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna (R) scores his team’s fourth goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP via Getty Images)

US players celebrate the fourth goal by midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP via Getty Images)

He is the only man to score in six editions of the tournament.

Now, on Monday, Ronaldo will look to lead Portugal to a win over Spain to reach the quarterfinals for the third time in his illustrious career.

Here’s what to know:

How old is Cristiano Ronaldo?

Ronaldo is 41 years old. He is the second-oldest player competing in the 2026 World Cup, behind only 43-year-old Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Is Cristiano Ronaldo retiring after World Cup?

At Portugal’s media availability on Sunday, July 5 at AT&T Stadium, Ronaldo once again confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be the final one he’ll be competing in for Seleção das Quinas.

“Hopefully, hopefully tomorrow is not going to be my last World Cup match. Hopefully. Y’all (the media) can kill me a bit more. TRY to kill me,” Ronaldo said.

“You don’t want to see me here anymore?” Ronaldo continued. “The day will come, the day will come! But, look, I’m going to be honest with you, no matter what happens tomorrow, Cristiano will leave here with the conscience clear — but not 100 percent, 1,000 percent. You know why? In life, in soccer, I’ve given everything I have.”

Ronaldo remains signed with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr until 2027.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How old is Cristiano Ronaldo? Portugal star is second-oldest player at World Cup

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