Roberto Martinez responds when asked if Cristiano Ronaldo will continue with Portugal after Euro 2024 exit
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez hasn't confirmed whether Cristiano Ronaldo will continue with the national team following their Euro 2024 exit. The 2016 champions were eliminated by France on penalties (5-3) following a goalless 120 minutes of action on Friday, July 5.
Now, there's a big question mark over whether the Al-Nassr superstar will continue with Portugal, given he's 39 years old. Ronaldo will be over 40 by the time the 2026 FIFA World Cup arrives.
Moreover, the Manchester United legend had a poor Euro 2024 campaign that saw him bag only an assist and not score a single goal in five appearances. When asked about Ronaldo's future with the national team after the defeat to France, Martinez said (via ESPN):
"It's too soon and raw after the match to talk about that and there have been no individual decisions made."
One thing is for certain: this was Ronaldo's final European Championship. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner confirmed this and told Portugal TV's RTP (via ESPN):
"Without a doubt, it's the last Euro (for me), of course it is."
"But I'm not emotional about that. I'm moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people's passion," he added.
Ronaldo has made 212 appearances for Portugal, bagging 130 goals. He won the Euros in 2016 after Portugal beat France 1-0 in the final in extra time.
Former Portugal defender Jose Fonte hints that Cristiano Ronaldo's international career could be over
Cristiano Ronaldo's former Portugal teammate Jose Fonte seemingly hinted that the Real Madrid legend's time with the national team is over after their Euro exit.
Fonte and Ronaldo shared the pitch 40 times for their nation, bagging two joint goal contributions. The former defender told BBC Sport:
"They probably know it's the end of the line in the national team, perhaps. Where do you go from there?"
While there are suggestions that Ronaldo's international career has come to a close, his fans will certainly get to see him in action for Al-Nassr. He's contracted with the Saudi Arabian side until the summer of 2025.