- Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence after Portugal’s agonising Euros exit
- The Al-Nassr star seemed to also hint in that he had some unfinished business
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Toni Kroos was ran ragged in terrible send-off
Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence on social media after Portugal were agonisingly knocked out of Euro 2024 by France on penalties.
There are concerns that this could be the former Man United and Real Madrid star’s last appearance at a major tournament with Portugal, with Ronaldo having revealed that this will be his final European Championship earlier this week.
Despite that, it appears that the Al-Nassr forward may have some unfinished business with his national side.
Ronaldo, who was seen comforting his team-mate and Portugal stalwart, Pepe, 41, at the end of Friday night’s defeat, has today issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that his side ‘deserved more.’
‘We wanted more. We deserved more. For us. For each one of you. For Portugal. We are grateful for everything you have given us and for everything we have achieved so far,’ Ronaldo wrote.
But the 39-year-old may have hinted that he could be set to play on, adding: ‘On and off the field, I am sure that this legacy will be honoured and will continue to be built. Together.’
Ronaldo, who has scored 130 goals across 212 appearances for Portugal during his professional career, raised alarm bells over his future in international football.
‘It is without a doubt my last European Championship,’ he told Portuguese outlet, O Jogo, this week.
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The former Real Madrid and Man United star has, though, failed to score a single goal from open play during the Championship, and notably missed a penalty during Roberto Martinez’s side’s 1-0 victory against Slovenia in their opening knockout match.
While this could be Ronaldo’s final Euros, the 39-year-old could potentially continue to play until the next World Cup in 2026. While he failed to score at Euro 2024, he was the Saudi Pro League’s top scorer this season and while questions have been raised over the standard of the league, Ronaldo continues to strive for glory.
‘But I don’t get emotional about that, I get emotional about everything that football involves,’ Ronaldo added, per O Jogo.
‘Because of the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm of seeing my supporters, my family, the affection that people have for me.
‘It’s not about leaving football, because if I do, what else would I need to do or win?
‘It won’t be about getting one more point or one less point. Making people happy is what motivates me the most.’
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Ronaldo was left in tears after he was denied from the penalty spot by goalkeeper Jan Oblak during their last 16 clash against Slovenia, missing out on a golden chance to take the lead in the match.
It was a frustrating evening for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner who just could not get on the score sheet, with Ronaldo having burst out into tears during the break between full-time and extra-time.
And speaking on the Al-Nassr forward’s emotional outburst, Portugal manager Martinez opened up on why Ronaldo broke down in tears.
‘His tears are frustration,’ said Martinez. ‘Pepe is a role model in Portuguese football. What he did tonight and in the tournament will stay with us for the next generations.’
While Pepe has admitted, per O Jogo, that he has ‘already made his decision on his future’ and ‘will reveal all soon’, uncertainty still remains over whether Ronaldo will play on with Portugal.
And Portugal manager Martinez did not want to make a statement on whether the pair had featured for Portugal for the final time, following their defeat by France.
‘No,’ Martinez said after the match on Friday. ‘Everything is too raw. We are still suffering the defeat.
‘There’s no individual decisions at this point’