July 3 – Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed what everyone assumed: that the European Championship in Germany will be “without a doubt” the last of his stellar career.
The 2024 Euros mark Ronaldo’s record-breaking sixth appearance in finals and he will be 43 by the time of the next one, hosted by the UK and the Republic of Ireland in four years’ time.
“Without a doubt it’s the last Euro, of course it is,” he told Portuguese TV. “But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people’s passion… it’s not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?”
Ronaldo, who made his debut with Portugal in 2003 and won the tournament 2016, is the men’s all-time leading scorer with 130 goals.
“The most important thing about the journey I’ve been on is the enthusiasm I still have for being here,” he said. “It’s 20 years representing and playing with the national team, bringing joy to people, to the family, my children, that is what motivates me most.”
Ronaldo’s mental strength was tested on Monday when he saw his 114th-minute penalty kept out by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak and burst into tears, only to convert clinically when he stepped up in the subsequent shootout.
“It’s football; those who fail are those who try, too,” Ronaldo said. “I will always do my best for this shirt, whether I fail or not.”
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