Is Cristiano Ronaldo retiring after Euro 2024 heartbreak?

What holds next for the Portugal talisman?

Cristiano Ronaldo was once again the centre of focus when Portugal lost 5-3 to France on penalties. Joao Felix missed his penalty hitting the bar and the French full-back Theo Hernandez rifled the ball in the top right corner to win the game.

It was a moment of grief and dejection for a team that won the 2016 Championship by defeating the same team on their soil.

Many would argue that Les Bleus did not deserve to go the last four following their underwhelming performance in the tournament so far as the Didider Deschamps side are yet to register an open play goal in the Championship.

Portugal were a much better side who created many chances but failed to find the back of the net. Ronaldo himself came inches closer to giving his team a winning goal but hit the ball over the roof during injury time.

Following the end of the game, the 39-year-old was seen standing alone in despair mood as many people wondered if this was his last game for Portugal in a major tournament. The former Real Madrid star himself confirmed during the competition that this was his last Euro, but the question was once again raised by media during the post-match press conference. The head coach of the 2016 Euro winners Roberto Martínez replied:

“We are suffering as a team, there’s no individual decision at this point”.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup far from eyesight, Ronaldo will be 41 by then and it is very unlikely that he will play for the national team. But for a player like Ronaldo who is still physically fit, it is hard to predict. Even if he is in the squad till then it would be very uncertain that he will have much role to play for the national team in the World Cup.

After missing a penalty in extra time against Slovenia, the former forward for Manchester United and Real Madrid broke down in tears. However, he made up for it by scoring in the shootout to help Portugal advance from the Round of 16.

However, he appeared frustrated once more after losing to France in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. It is now unclear if he will play for his nation once more.

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