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Ronaldo admitted he is no longer the player he once was but hit back at critics ahead of Portugal’s clash with Spain, insisting he will retire on his own terms.
Cristiano Ronaldo (AP)
Cristiano Ronaldo knows the questions are coming. At 41, they always do.
Is this your last World Cup? When will you retire? Are you still the player you once were?
On the eve of Portugal’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash against Spain in Dallas, Ronaldo answered them all.
“I am not the player I used to be,” Ronaldo admitted.
But the Portugal captain quickly reminded everyone that he remains far from finished.
“I am not doing too bad,” he said, pointing to his three goals at this World Cup.
‘When I Choose, Not When You Choose’
Retirement dominated much of the press conference, but Ronaldo made it clear that the decision will come on his terms.
“I always put body and soul trying to get our goals — playing or not playing, I will always have an important role to play,” he said.
“As I said before, (I will stop) when I choose, not when you choose, you always ask the same question.
“I don’t want to draw attention to this because it is less important.”
‘A Waste Of Time’
Ronaldo reserved his strongest words for those who have repeatedly written him off.
“You have been trying to kill me for the past 23 years, but you must have seen that is not worth it, it’s a waste of time, but you try and try and try and try and try,” he said.
The veteran even jokingly singled out one reporter.
“I know he does not like me,” Ronaldo said with a grin before inviting him to ask a question.
“To speak to you, some of you, those who do not like us especially — I remember people’s faces very well.”
‘I Gave Everything’
Whether Portugal’s meeting with Spain proves to be Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance remains uncertain.
The all-time leading scorer in international football refused to reveal when he plans to end his career, but insisted he has no regrets.
“Whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano Ronaldo will leave with a clear conscience — not 100 percent but 1,000 percent because in life and football I gave everything.”
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
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