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.
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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.
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Hopefully. And then you can kill me a bit more," said Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal captain.
