Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the European Championship in Germany will “without a doubt” be the last of his impressive career.
Euro 2024 marks Ronaldo's record-breaking sixth appearance at a European Championship.
The next tournament will take place in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland in four years' time and Ronaldo will be 43.
“It is undoubtedly the last Euro Cup.” [for me]”Of course it is,” Ronaldo told Portuguese television RTP.
“But I'm not excited about that. I'm excited about everything that football entails, the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, the passion of the people… It's not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?”
Ronaldo, who made his debut for Portugal in 2003 and won the tournament in 2016, is the all-time leading male scorer with 130 goals.
“The most important thing about the journey I've taken is the enthusiasm I still have for being here,” he said.
“I have been representing and playing for the national team for 20 years, bringing joy to people, to my family, to my children. That is what motivates me the most.”
Ronaldo's mental fortitude was put to the test on Monday when his 114th-minute penalty was saved by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Portugal won the round of 16 match by beating Slovenia in a penalty shootout in which Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved all three of Slovenia's shots.
The Al Nassr superstar broke down in tears as the match went to penalties and was comforted by his teammates.
“This is football, those who fail are those who also try,” Ronaldo said. “I will always give my best for this shirt, whether I fail or not.”
“As you saw, I missed the penalty but I wanted to be the first to score. [on the penalty shootout] “Because you have to take responsibility when the team has to take it. You don't have to be afraid, I've never been afraid to face things head on, sometimes I'm right, sometimes I'm not, but giving up is something you'll never hear from my name.”
Ronaldo, the competition's all-time leading scorer with 14 goals, has yet to score in Germany.
“It's obviously frustrating when we can't score, but it's football,” said the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
“In the end the result was positive and that was the most important thing.
“This year I lost twice on penalties. [to Al Ain in a penalty shootout in the Asian Champions League quarterfinals and to Al Hilal in the King Cup of Champions final] And now I won.
“I think football sometimes has to be fair and it was because I think Portugal deserved to win.”
Portugal will now face France in the quarter-finals on Friday.
“Now we have a difficult match against France, who are the favourites to win the competition along with Germany and Spain,” Ronaldo said.
“But we're going to war, this is football. The team is fine, this is football.” [win against Slovenia] “It was a boost of energy for the team and we will fight until the end.”
