Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement stance clear after heartbreaking exit and unwanted record
Cristiano Ronaldo had a time to forget in Germany, where he failed to score in a major international tournament for the first time despite registering 23 shots
Roberto Martinez remained tight-lipped on the future of Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal’s Euros exit but all signs are pointing to the 39-year-old announcing his international retirement soon.
Ronaldo had a time to forget in Germany, where he failed to score in a major international tournament for the first time despite registering 23 shots - more than any other player.
He was seen consoling tearful defender Pepe after Portugal’s penalty shootout defeat to France in Hamburg, with the 41-year-old in floods of tears.
Neither players has stated that they plan to retire from internationals imminently, but both could be given a farewell match later in the year as their participation in Nations League matches which start in September and then next year’s World Cup qualifiers looks doubtful.
Portugal boss Martinez was asked whether both had played their final matches for their country, and said: "It's too soon and raw after the match to talk about that and there have been no individual decisions made."
Ronaldo, who has scored 130 goals in 212 appearances for Portugal, confirmed after the last-16 shootout win over Slovenia that this would be his sixth and final Euros.
He will be 43 by the time the tournament comes to the UK and Ireland in 2028, and Martinez attracted fierce criticism for starting him in all five of Portugal’s games in Germany.
After winning their first two matches, Portugal failed to score in five-and-a-half hours of football in their final three, with Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and PSG ’s Goncalo Ramos both unused substitutes against France.
Pepe also refused to confirm if he was planning on retiring after the defeat. He 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.”
Elaborating on the loss, 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.”
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