Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed his international retirement from tournament history ahead of the upcoming World Cup round of 16 match against Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The 41-year-old forward has completed 23 years of international football, registering 232 games, 146 goals, and six World Cup appearances for his country, as reported by The Guardian.
The knockout fixture marks a massive shift from his international debut against Kazakhstan at the Estádio Municipal Eng.
Manuel Branco Teixeira in Chaves, which featured 8,000 spectators compared to the 80,000 expected in Dallas.
"This will be my last World Cup; God willing tomorrow is not my last game," said Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal captain.
The veteran attacker expressed peace regarding his career achievements regardless of the outcome against Spain, noting his gratitude for his lengthy run at the highest level of international sport.
"I'm not missing anything; God has been generous to me," said Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal captain.
Defeat in the upcoming match would immediately eliminate the Portuguese squad and finalize the forward's tenure on the global tournament stage.
"I won't be more Cristiano or less Cristiano if I win the World Cup or not," said Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal captain.
Addressing a packed press conference in three languages, the captain dismissed persistent media speculation about his future while shifting the focus back onto team progression.
"You always ask the same question, whether this is the last one. We'll see.
I don't want to draw attention to that, it isn't important, what's important is whether we go through," said Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal captain.
The forward highlighted his personal passion for football and noted that his three tournament goals demonstrated his ongoing capability on the pitch.
"The day will come," said Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal captain, "but, honestly, whatever happens tomorrow, I will leave with a clear conscious, not 100% but 1,000% because I have given everything to football.
I don't need it; I live well, but it's about passion. I play football because I love it.
Whatever happens tomorrow I can't put pressure on myself, saying we have the obligation to win. No, what will be will be.
You have to enjoy it day to day.
And I have scored three goals. I'm not doing too badly, right?
The player further reflected on over two decades of intense media scrutiny, stating that public criticism ultimately fueled his personal growth and resilience.
"They've tried to kill me for 23 years. There's no point paying too much attention to it.
It's part of it … People in Portugal have faith, they never fail us, they're always on our side, my side.
All the rest is rubbish. It doesn't matter at all.
I'm not lacking anything in life.
God has given me everything, more than I ever expected. Age gives you maturity and experience.
I'm thankful even for the attacks I receive.
That's how you grow as a person, it has made me stronger, and I thank you journalists for that, because of that I've grown even more.
The Portuguese team enters the critical knockout stage with the potential of extending their tournament run by up to four additional matches.
"You have to enjoy every day, like the last World Cup, which it will be, but hopefully, hopefully, tomorrow is not the last day.
Hopefully. And then you can kill me a bit more," said Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal captain.
