Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has addressed speculation surrounding his international future, indicating that he has no immediate plans to retire from national team duty.
The 39-year-old forward, who holds the record for the most caps and goals in men’s international football history with 130 strikes in 212 appearances, stated, “When the time comes, I’ll move on. It won’t be a difficult decision to make.”
Ronaldo is currently included in Portugal’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and Scotland, despite facing criticism following a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign where he failed to score.
The legendary forward acknowledged that while he has been under scrutiny, he “never considered leaving the national team.”
Reflecting on Portugal’s quarter-final exit to France, Cristiano Ronaldo remarked, “People’s expectations of the national team were too high.” He emphasised that he remains committed to contributing to the team’s success, especially as they prepare for the Nations League.
Despite his struggles during the Euro 2024 tournament, where he missed several key opportunities, including a penalty, Ronaldo’s experience and leadership remain invaluable to the squad. He is expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming matches as Portugal aims to bounce back from their recent disappointment.
“I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al-Nassr.” He added that his decision to step away from the national team will be spontaneous yet well thought-out, indicating that he will not announce his retirement in advance.
