Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed to Portuguese public broadcaster RTP on Monday that this was going to be his last European Championship.
“It is, without doubt, my last European Championship. But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by all that football means — by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm for seeing my supporters, my family, the affection people have for me,” Ronaldo said after Portugal scraped past Slovenia to the quarterfinal after a 3-0 win on penalties.
Ronaldo hasn’t had the best tournament with the 39-year-old failing to find the net in the 4 matches he has played thus far. He had a golden chance to break his duck against Slovenia in the Round of 16 encounter when Portugal were awarded a penalty in Extra Time but Jan Oblak made a terrific save to deny the Al Nassr player.
Shortly after, the Portuguese captain was seen in tears as the team huddled ahead of the second half of the extra time.
Opening up on his emotions, Ronaldo conceded afterwards, “Even the strongest people have their bad days. I was at rock bottom when the team needed me most. I was sad at first but now I’m happy. That’s what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments.
“I didn’t make a single mistake this year and when I was needed the most, Oblak saved it. At this moment I missed it, but the most important thing is that the team won. I lost twice on penalties this season and won the third time. Sometimes football is fair and sometimes just, but we deserved to qualify. I will always give my best for this shirt, whether I fail or not, but you have to take responsibility. I have never been afraid to face things head on. Sometimes I do things right, sometimes I don’t, but giving up is something you will never hear from me,” Ronaldo added.
Ronaldo, who is one of the most prolific scorers in football history and has a record 14 goals at European Championships, said his main motivation now was “making people happy.”
“It’s not about leaving the world of football,” he said. “What else is there for me to do or win? It’s not going to come down to one point more or one point less.”
