RONALDO WILL KNOW WHEN TO RETIRE

Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up about his future, making it clear he has no immediate plans to retire from international football. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Portugal's Nations League clash with Croatia in Lisbon, the 39-year-old assured fans that he still has plenty to contribute to his national team.

"When the time comes, I’ll move on. It won’t be a difficult decision to make," Ronaldo said, emphasizing that he would step aside if he ever felt he was no longer adding value to the squad.

Reflecting on his career, Ronaldo cited the graceful exit of his former teammate Pepe, who retired last year at 41, as an example of how he hopes to bow out when the time comes. "He left through the front door," Ronaldo noted, alluding to the way Pepe ended his career on his own terms.

Despite being in the twilight of his career, Ronaldo remains committed to both his club and country. Currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he's spent nearly two years, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has faced his share of criticism, particularly after Portugal’s exit in the quarter-finals of this year’s European Championship. However, he stressed that he "never considered leaving the national team" despite the media scrutiny following the tournament, where he failed to score in his record sixth appearance at the Euros.

Ronaldo acknowledged the high expectations placed on him and the national team, but he sees challenges as opportunities for growth. "People’s expectations of the national team were too high," he explained, adding that the difficult moments in a footballer’s career help them "evolve."

With the full backing of coach Roberto Martinez, Ronaldo remains focused on contributing to Portugal’s success. His commitment to the national team is unwavering, as he continues to serve as a leader on and off the pitch.

After Thursday’s match against Croatia, Portugal will stay in Lisbon to face Scotland on Sunday, with Ronaldo determined to play a key role in both matches. Despite his age, Ronaldo’s competitive spirit and dedication to his country show no signs of waning, and he will continue to represent Portugal until he feels it’s time to step aside.