After an illustrious career spanning 23 years, 232 matches, and 146 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo faces the possibility of bidding farewell to international football at the age of 41. The day prior to what could be his last game, the Portuguese captain openly acknowledged, “This will be my last World Cup; God willing tomorrow is not my last game,” Should it end without the elusive trophy that has evaded him, he is at peace with that outcome.
Ronaldo reflected on his journey, stating, “I’m not missing anything; God has been generous to me,” His first appearance for Portugal was against Kazakhstan at the Estádio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira, a match he entered as a substitute for Luís Figo in front of 8,000 spectators. The curtain may fall on his international career against Spain at the Dallas Stadium, which can accommodate 80,000 fans. A defeat in the knockout stage would mean the end for Portugal and Ronaldo.
During his final press conference before potentially stepping onto the field for the last time, Ronaldo embraced the moment, displaying a light-hearted demeanor while addressing reporters in three languages. He shared a few jokes and made some playful comments, acknowledging the scrutiny he has faced over the years. “I won’t be more Cristiano or less Cristiano if I win the World Cup or not.” he remarked, adding that scoring three goals in the tournament is a commendable feat. When asked about his future, 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 Legacy
He began the conference by addressing the recurrent question about whether this World Cup would be his last, insisting, “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.” However, his demeanor suggested he is aware that the end is near. He emphasized that the moment has arrived, stating, “The day will come, but, honestly, whatever happens tomorrow, I will leave with a clear conscience, not 100% but 1,000% because I have given everything to football.”
Ronaldo emphasized that his passion for the game remains paramount. “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?”
Gratitude and Growth
Reflecting on his experiences, he noted, “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.”
He acknowledged that age brings wisdom, stating, “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.”
