Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the current Euro will be the last of his illustrious career.
The 39-year-old Portuguese star is playing in the Euros for the sixth time in his career and has helped his country reach the quarter-finals, where they will face Kylian Mbappe and France in Hamburg on Friday.
In an interview with Portuguese broadcaster RTP after Portugal’s penalty shootout win over Slovenia on Monday, Ronaldo said: “This is, without a shadow of a doubt, my last European Championship.”
“But it doesn’t sadden me. I’m touched by everything that revolves around the world of soccer – my passion for this sport, for my fans, my family and the love that people have for me,” he added.
Ronaldo, who is one of the greatest goal scorers in soccer history, has scored a record 14 goals in the European Championship. He said his main motivation right now is to “make people happy.” He could not hold back his tears after missing a penalty in stoppage time in the match against Slovenia.
“It has nothing to do with leaving the world of soccer,” he explained. “What more do I have to gain? This (my career) will not be about one highlight more or less.”
