Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years old, openly acknowledged on the eve of Portugal’s last-16 World Cup match against Spain that he is no longer the player he once was. Despite this admission, the veteran forward confronted critics who have challenged him relentlessly throughout his career, stating they have been “trying to kill me for the past 23 years.”
Set to feature in what is expected to be his final World Cup, Ronaldo displayed a mixture of confidence, humor, and reflection during his media engagement held at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium. The Portugal captain, whose illustrious career includes stints at Manchester United, Juventus, and Real Madrid, remained tight-lipped about the exact timing of his international retirement.
When pressed about his future and the scrutiny surrounding his recent performances, Ronaldo conceded, “I am not the player I used to be.” However, he quickly added that he is “not doing too bad,” highlighting his contribution so far in the tournament with three goals scored on North American soil—two in a commanding 5-0 group stage victory over Uzbekistan and a crucial penalty in the 2-1 last-32 win over Croatia.
Facing the Critics Head-On
Ronaldo appeared to embrace the challenge of dealing with persistent questions regarding his career longevity and the intense media spotlight. He remarked, “It’s been like this since I was 18, it is not going to change.” Demonstrating his enduring commitment, the forward emphasized that he gives everything for his team, whether on the pitch or not, asserting, “I always put body and soul trying to get our goals – playing or not playing, I will always have an important role to play.”
He reinforced that the decision to end his international career will come on his own terms, not dictated by external pressures or repeated inquiries. “As I said before, (I will stop) when I choose, not when you choose,” he stated firmly, addressing the press’s persistent questioning about his plans.