Cristiano Ronaldo says Portugal retirement 'won't be a difficult decision' - but now is not the time
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/02/image-dfe2a7b1-16b3-40a7-aa20-5e002e65941a-68-310-310.jpeg)
Published 02/09/2024 at 21:09 GMT+1
React to this story
Cristiano Ronaldo appeared at a record sixth European Championship with Portugal this summer but, at the age of 39, he is still not considering retiring from international football. Ronaldo is his country's all-time top scorer but faced some criticism for his form at Euro 2024, where Portugal lost to France in the quarter-finals. "When the times comes, I'll move on," he said.
‘We were better’ - Nagelsmann still smarting about Germany defeat to Spain at Euro 2024
Video credit: SNTV
Cristiano Ronaldo says retiring from international football “won’t be a difficult decision” but he plans to continue representing Portugal until he feels he is “no longer contributing.”
The Al-Nassr striker holds the Portugal national records for both appearances (212) and goals (130) and featured at a record sixth European Championship this summer.
Several big-name players, such as Germany’s Thomas Muller and France’s Olivier Giroud, retired from international football after Euro 2024, but Ronaldo has no plans to stop at the age of 39.
"When the time comes, I'll move on," he said at a press conference ahead of the start of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League campaign.
"It won't be a difficult decision to make. If I feel like I'm no longer contributing anything, I'll be the first to leave."
- 'As you know, this is my last year' - Salah hints at Liverpool exit after Man Utd rout
- 'I'm here to be Kylian' - Mbappe says there's 'no pressure' for him at Madrid
Ronaldo was called up to the Portugal squad by Roberto Martinez for the upcoming double header against Croatia and Scotland in League A.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner faced some criticism for his performances at Euro 2024, where he failed to score as a talented Portuguese side lost to France on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Ronaldo, 39, and his 41-year-old team-mate Pepe were the two oldest players at the tournament in Germany, and the veteran defender has since hung up his boots.
“People's expectations of the national team were too high," Ronaldo said of Portugal’s Euros campaign.
Portugal face Croatia on Thursday and Scotland on Sunday, with both games being staged in Lisbon.
At club level, former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Ronaldo started the 2024/25 season by scoring four goals in four games for Al-Nassr.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/02/26/3918891-79610588-2560-1440.jpg)
'We've changed a lot' - Benzema on reuniting with Blanc for new Saudi season
Video credit: SNTV
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement