Cristiano Ronaldo:International footbal not ready to retire 2024
Portuguese star forward Cristiano Ronaldo ruled out speculation that he may soon retire from international football and said criticism since the European Championship did not bother him.
Ronaldo has led Portugal at Euro 2024 in which the country bowed out in the quarterfinals, losing to France
Those rumors are coming from the press only. It never went through my mind that I might end my time with the Portugal national team. On the contrary, it has fueled motivation to continue, ” Ronaldo said in a news conference on Monday.
European Championship
My motivation comes because I want to contribute to another victory of the national team in the Nations League. We’ve achieved it before, and we’re determined to do it again. I know I always say this, but I only think about the short term, nothing further into the distance than that.
Portugal will kick off their Nations League campaign against Croatia on Thursday before heading to Scotland for a League A, Group One match on Sunday.
In his captaincy, Portugal won the first-ever Nations League in the 2018-19 season, three years after the team won their first-ever European Championship title in France.
I will always look at my career and say I’m never a substitute player. I’ll always believe that I must play,” said Ronaldo.
Coach Roberto Martinez said
At this point, and based on what Coach Roberto Martinez said, too, it is crystal clear that I am still a part of the national team. And once that is no longer the case anymore, I’ll be the first one to acknowledge it.”.
When it’s time to step aside, it won’t be a difficult decision,” the 39-year-old went on to say. “If I feel I don’t have anything to give anymore, I’ll be the first one to step aside,” he said referring to Pepe, a former teammate who last August retired at 41, on top of his game.
But when I go, it will be with a clear conscience, always knowing who am I, what I have done and what I still can give.
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On Thursday, the former Real Madrid ace received a personalized award from UEFA due to his enormous successes in the elite competition.
Single Campaign
All-time Champions League top scorer with 140 goals in 183 appearances for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, he has been the top scorer in the competition outright on seven occasions, once breaking the then-record for most goals scored in a single campaign with 17 in 2013-14, and is the only player ever to have scored in three different finals.
The star forward seemed unconcerned about the criticism he received for failing to score in the 2024 European Championship.
Criticism is essential because it drives growth and development. That’s how it’s always been, and it won’t be different now,” Ronaldo said.
I focus on keeping my feet on my path, being at the highest level of professionalism and contributing as much as I can, not only with goals and assists, but mostly with an example of discipline and professionalism. Football encompasses much more than simply performing well or scoring goals.
These are often people who have never been in a locker room, and I find it really funny-it’s like my trying to comment on Formula 1.
Cristiano Ronaldo said
How can I have an opinion on Formula 1 when I know nothing about tyres, rims or the weight of the car? It’s natural, and for that reason, I view criticism as a normal and even positive aspect of the game—not something that bothers me at all.
Earlier this month, Ronaldo suggested he intended to retire from football with current club Al Nassr, but not for another two or three years.
I am not sure yet, probably in two or three years I will retire, but I will probably stop here at Al Nassr,” Ronaldo said to Portuguese channel NOW in August.