Cristiano Ronaldo retirement bombshell dropped – ‘say goodbye’ | Football | Sport
Cristiano Ronaldo is still leading Portugal (Image: KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI, AFP via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro has suggested he will call time on his international career tonight if Portugal go out of the World Cup. Should Roberto Martinez’s side fall to Croatia in the round of 32, his retirement may come soon after, if his sister Katia’s words are taken for gospel.
Ronaldo, 41, was included in Portugal’s starting XI for the last-32 encounter in Toronto. He is competing in his sixth World Cup and is the only footballer in history to score at least one goal in six renditions of the tournament. If things do not go well for Martinez’s side, it may well prove to be his swansong on football’s grandest stage.
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Speaking to Portuguese broadcaster SportTV roughly an hour before kick-off, Katia disclosed: “From the information I have, they can say goodbye. Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s not today that they’re saying goodbye, but it’s soon. I believe this is their farewell. Enjoy it a lot. It will be difficult to find someone like him.
“I’m talking about the national team. The information I have, from a reliable source, I believe this is his last dance. For intelligent people, those who like football have to like Ronaldo.
“Those who don’t like Ronaldo don’t like football. They’re the ones who lose out. He’s been tearing it up for over 20 years. Do they think we’re not happy? Look where we are, the Aveiro family, and where we came from.
“We’ve achieved so much, considering where we came from… after the struggle we went through, what my brother went through, the achievements my mother had… Do they think the criticism will interfere with our happiness? Never.”
Ronaldo is the only player to score in six different World Cups (Image: Patrick Smith – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Katia proceeded to recognise how this could also mark Luka Modric’s final appearance for Croatia, having lined up alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid during six trophy-laden seasons. “We have to enjoy these moments. It’s the last dance for two players, both for Croatia and for Portugal,” she continued.
“The most important thing is to enjoy these 20-odd years that we’ve lived, won, and come so far. I’m incredibly proud. I was in Qatar, I’m here. It’s a tremendous pride. I’m confident and we’ll smile at the end. Ronaldo is great and confident, less nervous than us. I felt a good energy and confidence. For us fans, it brings comfort. We can trust.”
Ronaldo will skipper Portugal as they attempt to secure a last-16 clash with Spain. Despite netting twice in three matches at this World Cup, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has come under fire for his displays. Both strikes arrived during Portugal’s 5-0 demolition of minnows Uzbekistan.
Yet manager Roberto Martinez is maintaining his faith in Ronaldo, who is seeking to break a peculiar curse in Canada. Astonishingly, the former Manchester United icon has never registered a goal or assist in a World Cup knockout fixture. Portugal claimed second spot in Group K behind Colombia, against whom they drew 0-0 in their most recent outing.
