Portugual, Sept 3: Cristiano Ronaldo has firmly dismissed any notion of retiring from international football, stating he still has much to offer Portugal. The 39-year-old, who has been with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia for nearly two years, expressed his thoughts during a press conference on Monday ahead of Portugal’s Nations League match against Croatia in Lisbon.
“When the time comes, I’ll move on. It won’t be a difficult decision to make,” Ronaldo stated, emphasizing his commitment to the national team. He mentioned his former teammate Pepe, who retired at 41 last August, as an example of gracefully stepping away when the moment is right. Ronaldo assured that if he ever feels he’s no longer contributing, he’ll be the first to leave.
Despite a challenging appearance at his record sixth European Championship, where Portugal was eliminated in the quarterfinals and he failed to score, Ronaldo stressed that quitting the national team was never an option. He also noted that the team continues to have the support of coach Roberto Martinez.
Addressing the high expectations placed on the national team, Ronaldo acknowledged the tough moments in a footballer’s career, saying they “allow you to evolve.” Following the clash with Croatia on Thursday, Portugal is set to face Scotland in Lisbon on Sunday.