Cristiano Ronaldo confirms Euro 2024 will be his last

Portugal’s veteran Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the ongoing Euro 2024 will be his last for the national team. The Portugal captain has provided an assist in the ongoing European championship but he is yet to score.

This is the sixth Euro for Ronaldo, which is the most for any player in the history of the tournament. The next edition of Euro will be hosted by the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland in four years, when Ronaldo will be 43.

“Without a doubt it’s the last Euro [for me], of course it is,” Ronaldo told Portugal TV’s RTP.

“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 has an incredible record while playing for Portugal at the Euro with 14 goals and eight assists. He also took his team to glory in 2016, beating France in the final by 1-0.

Ronaldo has made 211 appearances for Portugal scoring 130 goals, while also assisting 47 more. 

Meanwhile, Portugal won their opening game of Euro 2024 against Czechia by 2-1. Subsequently, Robert Martinez’s team registered a convincing 3-0 win against Turkiye. But they were stunned by Georgia by 2-0 in their last group stage match.

Portugal defeated Slovenia by 3-0 on penalties after both teams failed to score in regular and extra time. Ronaldo missed a penalty at the fag end of the first phase of the extra time and then was seen in tears. However, he stepped up to take the first penalty of the shootout and this time, he was able to find the back of the net. 

Portugal will face France in the quarterfinal on Friday night.