Cristiano Ronaldo ‘has no intention of retiring from international football following Portugal’s World Cup exit… and is determined to reclaim his place to lead his country at Euro 2024 at the age of 39’
Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to continue playing for Portugal until at least Euro 2024, according to reports.
Ronaldo’s side exited the World Cup on Saturday at the quarter-final stage after losing 1-0 to Morocco, and the 37-year-old was in floods of tears as he went down the tunnel after the final whistle.
It appeared that may have been the final time fans got to see the five-time Ballon d’Or winner on the international stage, but Ronaldo has no intention of making that his swansong.
Cristiano Ronaldo started on the bench for Portugal’s final two matches in Qatar
He was left in tears after Portugal’s World Cup exit at the quarter-final stage on Saturday
He wants to continue playing for his country and already has his sights set on the next international tournament – Euro 2024 in Germany – as reported by CM Journal.
Ronaldo lost his place in the Portugal starting XI for his side’s last two games in Qatar, but he believes he is capable of winning his place back and captaining the team at the next Euros, when he will be 39.
His cause could be helped if manager Fernando Santos departs. Santos has been in charge of the national team since 2014 and led them to glory at Euro 2016, but could be shown the door after Portugal’s elimination in Qatar.
He insisted that he still had a ‘close relationship‘ with Ronaldo even after dropping the forward, but it appeared that he lost patience with him midway through the tournament.
Ronaldo’s intention to keep putting himself forward for selection reiterates the message he delivered on his Instagram on Sunday when he insisted that he would ‘never turn my back on my colleagues and my country‘.
Ronaldo is determined to continue playing for his country until at least Euro 2024 in Germany
His full Instagram post read: ‘Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career.
‘Fortunately I won many titles of international dimension, including Portugal, but putting our country’s name on the highest foot in the World was my biggest dream.
‘I fought for it. I fought hard for this dream. In the five appearances I scored in World Cups over 16 years, always by the side of great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I gave my all. Leave it all out on the field. I never turned my face to the fight and I never gave up on that dream.
Ronaldo feels he can get back in the team and lead the side after being dropped by Fernando Santos
‘Sadly yesterday (Saturday) the dream ended. It’s not worth reacting in the heat of the moment. I just want you all to know that much has been said, much has been written, much has been speculated, but my dedication to Portugal has not changed not for a moment. I was always one fighting for the objective of all and I would never turn my back on my colleagues and my country.
‘Not much more to say for now. Thank you Portugal. Thank you Qatar. The dream was nice while it lasted… Now, it’s hoping that time will be good advisor and allow each one to draw their own conclusions.’
Ronaldo needs to make just one more appearance to become the most capped player in international men’s football.
He came off the bench against Morocco to collect his 196th cap, drawing him level with Kuwait’s Badr Al-Mutawa.
Should he make it to Euro 2024, it would be his sixth European Championships, 20 years on from his first when he announced himself on the international stage by helping Portugal make it to the final before they were beaten by Greece.
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