Cristiano Ronaldo has finally the retirement rumours surrounding his international future after Portugal secured their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia.
The Portugal captain, who scored his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout match on Thursday, was asked after the game whether this tournament could mark the end of his legendary international career.
The speculation had gathered pace before Portugal’s Round of 32 clash after Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, claimed that the World Cup would likely be his “last dance” in Portugal colours.
“The info I have, from a reliable source this is his last dance,” Katia had said while speaking to Sport TV.
“I believe it’s not today that they’ll say goodbye, but it’s coming soon. I strongly believe this is the farewell.”
Ronaldo, however, refused to be drawn into the discussion, insisting that all decisions regarding his future would be made only after Portugal’s World Cup campaign comes to an end.
“It is not important now,” Ronaldo told reporters after the match.
“I will have time to talk about that after winning or losing the tournament. I will talk to my family, and then I will make the most appropriate decision.”
The 41-year-old added that he was no longer someone who made decisions in the heat of the moment.
“I no longer make decisions in the heat of the moment; now everything is done calmly. All that matters to me at the moment is enjoying the present and helping the national team.”
Ronaldo’s comments came after an emotional night in Toronto.
PORTUGAL vs CROATIA: DRAMA IN TORONTO
Portugal had fallen behind to Ivan Perisic early in the second half before Ronaldo levelled the scores from the penalty spot in the 68th minute. The goal was a landmark one for the veteran forward, who finally scored his first-ever goal in the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup after six appearances across multiple editions of the tournament.
Substitute Goncalo Ramos then headed home a dramatic stoppage-time winner to send Portugal into the last 16, where they will face Spain in one of the biggest ties of the tournament.
The goal also capped an impressive turnaround for Ronaldo, who endured a difficult opening week at the World Cup.
The veteran forward failed to find the net in Portugal’s opening match against the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting fresh questions about whether age had finally caught up with one of football’s greatest goalscorers.
Ronaldo answered those doubts with two goals in Portugal’s second group-stage match before adding another crucial strike against Croatia.
RONALDO: DIFFICULT START TO FIFA WORLD CUP
Looking back on his difficult start to the tournament after the group-stage victory, Ronaldo admitted he had gone through a challenging period.
“It was a difficult week, a dark week. It felt like I’d retired from soccer. But I hung in there, as I always do, because I believe in hard work more than anything else,” Ronaldo had said.
“It was tough, I have to admit, but we’re back.”
With Spain now standing between Portugal and a place in the quarter-finals, Ronaldo has made it clear that his focus remains firmly on the present.
Questions about retirement, he says, can wait until Portugal’s World Cup journey is over.
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