Portugal’s national team player and Saudi Al-Nassr’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo applauds on stage during the ceremony of the draw for the group stage of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League football tournament, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on August 29, 2024. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)
Cristiano Ronaldo has ruled out any immediate thought of retirement from international football as he believes he still has plenty to give Portugal, he told a press conference on Monday.
“When the time comes, I’ll move on. It won’t be a difficult decision to make,” the 39-year-old said ahead of Thursday’s Nations League clash with Croatia in Lisbon.
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“If I feel like I’m no longer contributing anything, I’ll be the first to leave,” he added, citing the example of his former team-mate Pepe, “who left through the front door” after announcing his retirement from the game last August at the age of 41.
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The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has been playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia for almost two years now, failed to score as he appeared at a record sixth European Championship this year, with Portugal exiting in the quarter-finals.
In spite of the criticism he received in the press Ronaldo said he “never considered leaving the national team” and he has retained the backing of coach Roberto Martinez.
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“People’s expectations of the national team were too high,” said Ronaldo, adding that the bad times in a footballer’s life “allow you to evolve”.
After Thursday’s meeting with Croatia, Portugal remains in Lisbon to face Scotland on Sunday.
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