Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo does not want to end his career yet because he believes he can still help the national team, he said Monday at a press conference in Lisbon ahead of Thursday’s Nations League match against Croatia.
“When the time comes, I will move on. (…) It will not be a difficult decision to make,” the 39-year-old told reporters. “If I feel like I no longer have anything to contribute, I will be the first to leave,” he added, citing the example of his fellow traveler Pepe, “who left through the front door,” after announcing his retirement from the sport last August at the age of 41.
“People’s expectations of the national team were too high”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has been playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia for almost two years, went through his 6th European Championship like a shadow, without scoring a single goal and losing in the quarter-finals against France (0-0 aet, 5 tabs to 3).
Asked about the criticism he received after his performance at Euro 2024, CR7 replied that he had “never considered leaving the national team”. “People’s expectations of the national team were too high,” said the Seleçao captain, adding that bad times in a footballer’s life “allow you to evolve”.
Original article published on RMC Sport
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