Cristiano Ronaldo has refused to close the door on the national team following Portugal's elimination against Spain in the round of 16 of the World Cup, making it clear that he will carefully consider his international future. The Portuguese captain, who reached the impressive milestone of 233 caps last night in Dallas, could not prevent Spain – the European champions – from advancing to the quarter-finals with a goal from Mikel Merino in stoppage time.
At 41 years old, Ronaldo will now likely focus on his club career with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, but he dismissed any hasty decisions in the aftermath of the defeat. “I’m sad to exit the World Cup in this way. As I said yesterday, I gave everything and leave with a clear conscience. That’s the life of a footballer. We must move on,” the Portuguese international told reporters right after the final whistle. When asked about his future, Ronaldo was emphatic: “Was this my last World Cup? Yes. But as for the rest, there’s time to think, to be with family, and not to say things in the heat of the moment.”
National team coach Roberto Martínez also praised the captain, despite criticism regarding his decision to keep Ronaldo on the pitch for the entire match while Gonçalo Ramos remained on the bench. Martínez, who confirmed yesterday that he would step down following the elimination, emphasized Ronaldo's crucial role both on and off the pitch. “He was an exemplary captain,” Martínez stressed. “I arrived in Portugal at a time of great confusion and doubts about Cristiano, and he was an example, not only for the goals and assists, for what he does in the area, his commitment, the way he lives football. He is an example, and we must celebrate him.”
Martínez did not hide his admiration for the Portuguese international, emphasizing his importance to the team. “We are talking about an icon of football. There are not many Cristiano Ronaldos. We have to thank him for what he did in this World Cup; he wanted to win it, as a player, captain, and human being, we will all carry that with us forever. He is an example of the human being behind the athlete,” he stated.
Regarding the decision to keep Ronaldo on the pitch until the end, even against a Spain that controlled more than 55% of possession, Martínez explained: “When you are a team and you need a goal, you cannot take Cristiano Ronaldo off. He can play 90 minutes, no problem. He is a presence, he opens spaces, in a set piece, any situation in the area, it wouldn’t make sense. In extra time, it might have made sense to use Gonçalo Ramos. We had to maintain the structure; it was not the time to take off your top scorer at 90 minutes.”
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With the coach's departure confirmed and Ronaldo's future uncertain, there is now uncertainty about the next chapter for the Portuguese national team. Ronaldo's decision will be awaited with anticipation, while the federation prepares to start a new cycle.
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