“I'm not going to lie" - When Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he considered retiring because of 'difficulties' with Portugal national team
Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo once admitted he considered retiring from the Portugal national team after he was benched during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Ronaldo is arguably the greatest international footballer of all time, having accumulated the most goals and caps in the men's game - with 130 goals and 45 assists in 212 appearances across competitions. He has also guided Portugal to Euro 2016 and 2019 Nations League glory.
However, the 39-year-old struggled during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which Lionel Messi's Argentina won. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to make an impact, scoring just one goal and providing zero assists in five appearances as Morocco knocked Portugal out in the quarter-finals.
To make matters worse, former Portugal boss Fernando Santos opted to bench Ronaldo in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals, in favor of Goncalo Ramos. In an interview with reporters back in March 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo stated (via GOAL):
“I'm not going to lie. In our life, we have to put everything on the scale. We thought, we reflected, me and my family, but then we came to the conclusion that, despite the difficulties, we cannot throw in the towel. I was able to see situations at different angles. I learned a lot from that."
He added:
“I'm glad to be back. Roberto Martinez showed that he counted on me. I've always wanted to play. As you know, he talked to everyone and to me, too. And I was able to realise that I have a lot to give to the national team. I feel it, I want it, and my desire is to take Portugal to the highest level. I will always give my contribution when they need me.”
Following Roberto Martinez's appointment as Portugal's head coach, Ronaldo has been entrusted to lead the line once again for the national team. Unfortunately, he struggled once again during Euro 2024, garnering zero goals and just one assist in five appearances as A Selecao crashed out in the quarter-finals.
"He did not need to play that game" - John Obi Mikel criticizes Cristiano Ronaldo for playing against Georgia
Former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel has criticized Cristiano Ronaldo for opting to play against Georgia at Euro 2024.
Ronaldo was criticized by many after he failed to make an impact up front for Portugal at Euro 2024. A Selecao won both of their group stage games against Turkiye and Czechia, guaranteeing themselves a top-place finish in Group F.
Despite their final game against Georgia essentially being a dead rubber, Ronaldo was only one of three players to retain their spot in the starting XI. Obi Mikel was unimpressed by this, saying on The Obi One Podcast (via Daily Post):
“A lot of people criticized Ronaldo about taking [all of the] free-kicks, about trying to do everything [on his own], trying to play every game. But I have said it a few times, the only place I criticize him in that tournament is [his decision] to play the game against Georgia. He did not need to play that game. You are 39 years old, take a break. Have a rest and refresh for the next game."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. failed to defeat Georgia as well, suffering a shock 2-0 loss at the hands of the European underdogs.