At 39 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo remains unfazed by criticism following Euro 2024 and has firmly dismissed any thoughts of retiring from international football.
“That’s just media talk. I’ve never considered my time with the Portuguese national team to be over,” Ronaldo stated during a press conference on September 2. “On the contrary, I am highly motivated to continue.”
Despite speculation about his international future, Ronaldo’s performance at Euro 2024 was notable. He started five matches, completed four, and took 23 shots—more than any other player—but did not score. This marked the first time in his illustrious career, which includes six Euros and five World Cups, that he failed to find the net at a major international tournament.
Ronaldo celebrates during the Portugal vs Spain Nations League Group B match in Braga, Portugal on September 27, 2022. Photo: Reuters.
Ronaldo, however, shrugged off the doubts, insisting that the criticism has helped him grow throughout his career. “Would that change now? No,” he said. “So I try to follow my path, be as professional as possible, help in the best way I can, with professionalism, not just with goals, assists, discipline and example, because football is not just about playing well or scoring goals.”
The Portuguese striker also hinted at those who criticised him for not being qualified. “People who give their opinions have never been in the dressing room, and I laugh about it. Because it’s like me talking about F1,” Ronaldo said. “How can I give my opinion about F1 if I don’t know anything about tyres, rims or the weight of the car? That’s normal and that’s why criticism is good for me.”
At Euro 2024, coach Roberto Martinez’s continuous placement of Ronaldo in the starting lineup, leading to limited opportunities for other attacking stars such as Pedro Neto, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix and Diogo Jota, caused great controversy. Former England player Chris Sutton even said that coach Gareth Southgate’s strong hand in replacing captain Harry Kane, unlike Martinez’s gentle treatment of Ronaldo, helped England reach the final.
“Until the end of my career, I will always have the mindset that I am a starter,” Ronaldo stressed. “What I feel at the moment, and the words of coach Roberto Martinez also prove this, is that I am still important to the team. I will be the first to admit if that is not the case. I will leave with a clear conscience, as always, because I know who I am, what I can do, what I will continue to do.”
Ronaldo is among the 25-man Portugal squad for the UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia on September 5 and Scotland on September 8. He and his teammates won the tournament, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the 2019 final thanks to a solitary goal from Goncalo Guedes. Ronaldo has said his immediate goal is to win the Nations League for the second time. “I can say the same thing over and over again, but I don’t think long-term, just short-term,” he said.
Ronaldo has been in fine form this season, scoring four goals and assisting two in four games for Al Nassr in all competitions. The 39-year-old forward has also been awarded a tribute as the top scorer in Champions League history – 140 goals in 183 games – at a UEFA ceremony on August 29.
