Cristiano Ronaldo Backtracks On His Retirement From Portugal National Team As He Suggests EURO 2024, And Not The Upcoming World Cup Could Be His Last International Tournament
Sep 21, 2022 at 7:44 PM
Cristiano Ronaldo has literally forced people into reconsider is he even human, after his latest comments. The 37-year-old has stated that he is ready to don the Portugal shirt at the 2024 EUROs, despite earlier announcing that this year’s FIFA World Cup would be his last appearance in the national set-up. Ronaldo is currently on international duty with Portugal as they face Czech Republic and Spain in the Nations League.
The mercurial forward will be eager to shrug-off his struggles with Manchester United, where he has managed only one goal in 8 appearances so far. Moreover, the sole strike has come in the Europa League as Ronaldo has missed out on the elite Champions League for the first time in almost two decades. However, he certainly feels at home with the national team, as he revealed his future plans while receiving an award at Quinas de Ouro.
Cristiano Ronaldo has no plans to retire from the national team anytime soon
Cristiano Ronaldo has achieved a lot with Portugal, most notably winning the EURO Championship in 2016. The forward literally single handedly dragged his team to the final of the competition, despite drawing all three of their group games. The Portuguese captain scored 3 and assisted as many in 7 games, as he had forced-off in the 25th minute of the final against France due to an injury. But Eder’s strike late in the extra-time meant Ronaldo did lift his maiden international trophy with Portugal.
Before the final against France however, the forward had already declared that the FIFA World Cup 2022 will be last international tournament with the national team. He told beIN SPORTS:
“Very good, for me. I expect Qatar [2022] could be my final World Cup. I often go on holidays there, to Qatar as well as Dubai. I am happy because for sure it will be last international tournament.”
While football fans may have been sent into frenzy by the Portugal star’s then comments, he has now given them something to celebrate. The Man United forward has now assured that he will be at EURO 2024, representing his nation though 39-years-old by that time. While at the award ceremony in Quinas de Ouro, the captain said in his acceptance speech:
“I hope to be a part of the Federation [Portugal National Team] for a few more years. I still feel motivated, my ambition is high. My path in the national team is not over. We have many quality youngsters. I will be at the World Cup and I want to be at the European Championship.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has already smashed a number of records for his country, while being the most capped player [189] and the highest scoring international at 117 goals, surpassing Iran international Ali Daei’s record of 109. However, as evident his hunger for more accolades with the national team hasn’t died yet as he vows to have another shot at adding a second EUROs to his collection.
For now however, the World Cup will be his priority where Portugal have fared poorly during the last three editions. The coastal nation is yet to make it past the Round of 16 in the global tournament since 2006, even failing to qualify for the knockout stage in the 2014. Ronaldo will definitely be gearing up to break the hoodoo at this year, which could be his last appearance as well in a FIFA World Cup, unless like the EUROs, he decides to play the 2026 edition of the world competition.