Portugal’s captain and Al-Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has fired back at critics who called him out after his underwhelming performance during the Euro 2024 tournament. Despite not scoring and Portugal being knocked out in the later stages, Ronaldo remains confident and has dismissed suggestions that he should retire from international football.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, the 39-year-old football icon shrugged off the negative comments.
“People always focus on the bad, never the good. But I’m not ending my career because a couple of critics say so,” Ronaldo remarked. “The world loves me, my fans love me, and that’s what keeps me going. No one’s going to dull my shine because of some TV pundits.”
After his less-than-stellar Euro 2024 run, Ronaldo bounced back, scoring in back-to-back matches for Portugal in the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League. These goals brought his total career tally to a record-breaking 901 in September.
Reflecting on his future in football during the interview, the former Real Madrid star said he’s not done yet. “I’ve given my body to football for 25 years. I know I can still give my best for a few more years. After that, I’ll think about the next steps. You think I’ll cry when I retire? Maybe, just a little,” he added with a smile.
Ronaldo’s resilience and ability to silence his critics continue to solidify his legendary status on and off the pitch.
