After an extraordinary career spanning 23 years, 232 matches, 146 goals, and six World Cups, Cristiano Ronaldo, at the age of 41, appears ready to conclude his international journey. On the eve of what may be his final appearance for Portugal, the captain acknowledged a truth everyone suspected but he had hesitated to fully articulate. “This will be my last World Cup; God willing tomorrow is not my last game,” he stated. He accepted that if he departs without claiming the elusive trophy, it is simply meant to be.
Ronaldo reflected on his journey, saying, “I’m not missing anything; God has been generous to me,” His first match for Portugal took place against Kazakhstan at the Estádio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira, with just 8,000 spectators present. Now, he could face Spain in front of 80,000 fans at the Dallas Stadium, where a loss in the World Cup round of 16 would end his tenure at this level.
In what could be his final press conference, Ronaldo seemed to savor the moment. Speaking in three languages to a crowded room, he mixed humor with a few pointed remarks, often with a smile. He remarked that for the past two decades, people have tried to “I won’t be more Cristiano or less Cristiano if I win the World Cup or not.” him, yet he noted scoring three goals in the tournament is quite respectable. When asked if he might return, he quipped, “You always ask the same question, whether this is the last one. We’ll see. I don’t want to draw attention to that, it isn’t important, what’s important is whether we go through,”
Reflections on His Career
Initially, Ronaldo downplayed questions about whether this would be his last tournament, insisting that the focus should be on advancing in the competition. However, he spoke with the awareness that his time is drawing to a close. He acknowledged, “but, honestly, whatever happens tomorrow, I will leave with a clear conscious, not 100% but 1,000% because I have given everything to football. I don’t need it; I live well, but it’s about passion. I play football because I love it. Whatever happens tomorrow I can’t put pressure on myself, saying we have the obligation to win. No, what will be will be. You have to enjoy it day to day. And I have scored three goals. I’m not doing too badly, right? “They’ve tried to kill me for 23 years. There’s no point paying too much attention to it. It’s part of it … People in Portugal have faith, they never fail us, they’re always on our side, my side. All the rest is rubbish. It doesn’t matter at all. I’m not lacking anything in life. God has given me everything, more than I ever expected. Age gives you maturity and experience. I’m thankful even for the attacks I receive. That’s how you grow as a person, it has made me stronger, and I thank you journalists for that, because of that I’ve grown even more. “You have to enjoy every day, like the last World Cup, which it will be, but hopefully, hopefully, tomorrow is not the last day. Hopefully. And then you can kill me a bit more.” He emphasized that football is about passion and enjoyment, stating, “Whatever happens tomorrow I can’t put pressure on myself, saying we have the obligation to win. No, what will be will be. You have to enjoy it day to day. And I have scored three goals. I’m not doing too badly, right?”
Facing Challenges
“They’ve tried to kill me for 23 years. There’s no point paying too much attention to it. It’s part of it,” he said, expressing gratitude for the support from his fans. “People in Portugal have faith, they never fail us, they’re always on our side, my side. All the rest is rubbish. It doesn’t matter at all. I’m not lacking anything in life. God has given me everything, more than I ever expected.” He added that age has granted him wisdom, stating, “I’m thankful even for the attacks I receive. That’s how you grow as a person, it has made me stronger, and I thank you journalists for that, because of that I’ve grown even more.”
Hope for the Future
Wrapping up his thoughts, Ronaldo expressed a desire to cherish every moment, acknowledging that this might be his last World Cup. He reiterated, “Hopefully, hopefully, tomorrow is not the last day. Hopefully. And then you can kill me a bit more.”
