Portugal star 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’m not contributing anything anymore, I’ll 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 sport last August at the age of 41.
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 aimed at him after his performance at Euro 2024, CR7 replied that he had not “never considered leaving the selection”.
“People’s expectations of the national team were too high”said the captain of the Seleçao, adding that the bad times in the life of a footballer “allow to evolve”.
