Portugal warned to start preparing for life without Cristiano Ronaldo

The Selecao have been told they should avoid going into decline.

Portugal have received a warning that they must begin preparing their life without Cristiano Ronaldo, who could confirm his retirement in the future. Moreover, the national team has been urged to start focusing on the possibility of a significant “decline.”

Five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or Ronaldo has been a pillar of his nation for the past 22 years. It is anticipated that his incredible international career, which started when he was still in his teens, will continue until the 2026 World Cup finals.

Ronaldo’s hopes of winning the World Cup will once again commence in the 2026 competition after the player’s failure to lift the trophy in past iterations.

With a record-breaking total of 217 caps and 135 goals, CR7 has led Portugal to European Championship and UEFA Nations League victory. But now that he is forty, he understands that no one can play forever.

He soon will have to make an ultimate decision on his career. That decision will see Portugal lose one of the greatest players of all time.

Carlos Queiroz, the former Manchester United coach, stated at the National Association of Football Coaches (ANTF) event that Portugal must make arrangements for life after Ronaldo.

É bom estar de volta 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/W5sG2D9l4U

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) March 17, 2025

“We still have the illusions that recent years have accustomed us to, but I think we are approaching a very critical moment.

“Sooner or later, we will have to face the decision of the departure of a brilliant player, who left his mark on Portuguese football, Cristiano. The big decisions for the future must be taken now to prevent the national team from going into decline. We have a new generation of players who can guarantee success, but if we go into decline, getting back on track will be more difficult.”

Ronaldo is currently back in the running for big trophies at Al-Nassr, a Saudi Pro League team, and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down. On Thursday, Portugal will play Denmark in the first leg of their quarterfinal matchup in the UEFA Nations League.

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