Cristiano Ronaldo revealed in an interview with Portugal TV’s RTP that Euro 2024 will mark his final participation in the European Championship.
“Without a doubt it’s the last Euro [for me], of course it is,” Ronaldo said following Portugal’s Round of 16 win over Slovenia on Monday.
“But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people’s passion. … It’s not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?”
Ronaldo, 39, is currently competing in his record sixth European Championship and holds the record for most goals (14) scored by a men’s player in the history of the tournament. Portugal, the Euro 2016 champions, will face France next in a crucial match on Friday.
Ronaldo made his Euro debut in 2004, scoring twice in the tournament, including the opening goal in the semifinal against the Netherlands. Despite a loss to Greece in the final, Ronaldo’s performance was notable.
Although Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer with 130 goals, he has yet to score in Euro 2024 after finding the net in each of his previous five appearances in the competition.
During Portugal’s recent victory over Slovenia, Ronaldo missed a penalty in the 114th minute but later converted one during the shootout to secure the win.
“Obviously it’s frustrating when we can’t score, but it’s football,” Ronaldo said afterward. “In the end, the result was positive was the most important thing.
“I lose twice this year 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 fair because I think Portugal deserved to win.”
Euro 2028, which will be co-hosted by England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, will be Ronaldo’s last chance to participate in the prestigious tournament at the age of 43.