Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence on Portugal Euro 2024 exit amid retirement rumours
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are out of Euro 2024 after their quarter-final defeat to France on penalties, with plenty of suggestions he may now retire from internationals
(
Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo thanked Portugal fans for their support during the country’s Euro 2024 campaign, which came to an end with a penalty shootout defeat to France on Friday.
After a goalless 120 minutes – Portugal’s second of the knockout stages – France full-back Theo Hernandez converted the winning spot kick after Portuguese substitute Joao Felix had hit the post.
Ronaldo played the full 120 minutes of the match and converted his penalty, but the 39-year-old’s displayed again attracted criticism. Euro 2024 is the first of 11 major tournaments Ronaldo has played in which he didn’t score a goal, despite having 23 shots – the most of any players at the tournament.
The result has prompted speculation that Ronaldo will announce his international retirement after 212 appearances for Portugal. He had already confirmed that this will be his last Euros after the last-16 win over Slovenia on penalties.
Taking to Instagram, Ronaldo wrote: “We wanted more. We deserved more. For us. For each and every one of you. For Portugal. We are grateful for all that you have given us and all that we have accomplished so far.
“On and off the field, I am sure that this legacy will be honoured and will continue to be built. Together.”
(
Image:
Anadolu via Getty Images)
Ronaldo was seen comforting his long-time Portugal team-mate Pepe after the defeat to France in Hamburg, with the 41-year-old defender expected to also call time on his international career in the near future.
Asked about the futures of both Ronaldo and Pepe after the match, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez said: “It’s too soon and raw after the match to talk about that and there have been no individual decisions made.”
Pepe was also asked about his plans, and said: “This is not the time to talk about a certain farewell to the national team. It is a moment of loss. I will have the opportunity to talk about it.”
(
Image:
PA)
Elaborating on Portugal’s exit, he added: “It’s hard to find words for the performance we played.. The level of work deserved a different result. Unfortunately, that’s football. Four or five days ago we were all happy because we beat Slovenia, but today we’re sad.
“I congratulate my team-mates, who fought hard, who did what our coach asked and did well. We had our chances to score, we played the game intelligently.”
News
Beyonce SPEAKS UP About Diddy Clip “Jay And Diddy Aren’t Who You Think They Are”
Beyonce SPEAKS UP About Diddy Clip “Jay And Diddy Aren’t Who You Think They Are” The recent revelations involving prominent figures in the music industry, particularly Jay-Z and Beyoncé, have sent shockwaves through the public and media alike. These revelations,…
(N) J.Lo and Matt Damon’s Secret Connection: What Really Happened at the ‘Unstoppable’ Afterparty
Lopez’s ex Ben Affleck, who co-produced ‘Unstoppable’ skipped the movie’s TIFF premiere and afterparty Jennifer Lopez and Matt Damon reportedly had a lengthy one-on-one discussion at the afterparty for their movie “Unstoppable,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival…
Jennifer Lopez Finally Comes with Good News: Surprised by High Viewership of Her Latest Movie
Lopez’s latest cinematic venture has been a labor of love, showcasing her dedication and passion for storytelling. The film, which blends drama, romance, and action, has resonated deeply with viewers, leading to an impressive surge in viewership. “I am absolutely…
Jennifer Lopez Slammed As ‘Greedy’ And ‘Pathetic’ For Canceling Tour Spots Due To Weak Ticket Sales After Charging $1K Per Seat: ‘We Are Tired Of Her’
Jennifer Lopez Slammed As ‘Greedy’ And ‘Pathetic’ For Canceling Tour Spots Due To Weak Ticket Sales After Charging $1K Per Seat: ‘We Are Tired Of Her’ John Salangsang/Shutterstock Jennifer Lopez has canceled the last seven This Is Me…Now The Tour shows,…
(N) Jennifer Lopez Remarks, ‘I Was Deceived by Ben Affleck’ After Learning He Liquidated Her Assets in Secret Due to the Absence of a Prenup—She Likely Hopes for Divine Intervention to Fix This Crisis
In a shocking turn of events, Jennifer Lopez reportedly made a heart-wrenching statement, saying, “I was deceived by Ben Affleck,” after discovering that he had allegedly liquidated some of her assets in secret. The news has sent shockwaves through both…
Jennifer Lopez’s electrifying performance made everyone buzz with excitement. Surrounded by a group of strong men
In a stunning display of talent, Jennifer Lopez once again solidified her status as a music icon at the 2018 MTV VMA Award ceremony. The 49-year-old superstar captivated the audience at Radio City Music Hall in New York City with…
End of content
No more pages to load