Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo has dismissed suggestions he could end his international career in the near future, adding that post-Euros criticism has not worried him.
Ronaldo led Portugal to the Euro 2024 Championship, where his country was knocked out in the quarter-finals after a loss to France.
“It’s all from the press. It never crossed my mind or my cycle [with Portugal] The end had come. Quite the opposite: it gave me more motivation to continue being honest,” Ronaldo told a news conference on Monday.
“The motivation is to come into the national team to win the Nations League … we’ve already won it once, and we want to do it again. I’ll probably say the same thing over and over again. But I don’t think long-term; it’s always short-term. have.”
Portugal host Croatia in their Nations League opener on Thursday before welcoming Scotland in League A Group One on Sunday.
Three years after France became European champions for the first time, Ronaldo led Portugal to success in the inaugural edition of the Nations League in 2018–19.
“Until the end of my career, I will always have the mindset that I will be a starter,” added Ronaldo.
“What I feel at the moment, and the coach [Roberto Martinez] Words also show that I continue to be an asset to the national team and I will be the first [to admit it] If that is not the case.
“When the time comes, I will move on. It will not be a difficult decision to take,” said the 39-year-old.
“If I think I’m not contributing anything anymore, I’ll be the first to quit,” he added, citing the example of his former teammate Pepe, who “left through the front door” after announcing his retirement from the game. At the age of 41 last August.
“But I will go, as always, with a clear conscience, because I know who I am, what I can do, what I do and what I will continue to do.”
The former Real Madrid player received a special award from UEFA on Thursday in recognition of his record-breaking achievements at the elite event.
Ronaldo is the Champions League record scorer with 140 goals in 183 appearances for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. He was top scorer in seven seasons, including a record 17 goals in 2013–14, and is the only player to score in three finals.
Honored by receiving this award from @ChampionsLeague For being the competition’s all-time top scorer. Grateful for all the support along the way! Thank you! pic.twitter.com/2FqexL3cIr
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) August 29, 2024
The star forward appeared unfazed by criticism for failing to score at the 2024 European Championships.
“Criticism is great because if it doesn’t exist there is no progress. It has always been like this. Will that change now? It won’t happen,” Ronaldo said.
“So I try to follow my path, be as professional as possible, help as best as possible with my professionalism and not just with goals, assists, discipline and example, because football is much more than just playing well or scoring goals. .
“The people who give their opinions never live in the locker room, and I often laugh because that’s what I’m talking about in Formula 1.
“How can I give my opinion on Formula 1 if I don’t know anything about the tires, the rims or the weight of the car … it’s normal and that’s why criticism is good for me and part of it, there’s no problem with it. “
Earlier, Ronaldo said that he Plans to end his career with his current club Al Nasr – but probably not for another two or three years.
“I don’t know if I will retire soon in two or three years, but maybe I will retire here at Al Nasser,” Ronaldo told Portuguese channel NOW in August.
Ronaldo has scored 130 international goals for Portugal, the most by a male player in 212 appearances for his country – a world record.
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