SOCCER

Will Cristiano Ronaldo play for Portugal at Euro 2024?

Cristiano Ronaldo will be 39 by the time the next Euros come around in 2024.

PAUL CHILDSREUTERS

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to carry on playing for Portugal, as reported by Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha.

Despite being left on the bench for Portugal’s last two World Cup games, the veteran forward is reportedly willing to remain as part of the national team squad.

The next objective for Ronaldo and Portugal after being dumped out of the World Cup by Morocco, is the Euros in Germany in 2024. Ronaldo will be 39 by the time the next Euros come around but he has previously said that he would like to continue playing until he is 40.

At this year’s World Cup, his performances were disappointing, however, the 37-year-old did become the first male player to score in five World Cups.

On his Instagram account on Sunday, Ronaldo insisted that he would “never turn my back on my colleagues and my country”.

His full post read: “Winning a World Cup for Portugal was the biggest and most ambitious dream of my career.

“Fortunately I won many titles of international dimension, including Portugal, but putting our country’s name on the highest foot in the World was my biggest dream.

“I fought for it. I fought hard for this dream. I scored in World Cups over 16 years, always by the side of great players and supported by millions of Portuguese, I gave my all. Leave it all out on the field. I never turned my face to the fight and I never gave up on that dream.

“Sadly yesterday (Saturday) the dream ended. It’s not worth reacting in the heat of the moment. I just want you all to know that much has been said, much has been written, much has been speculated, but my dedication to Portugal has not changed not for a moment. I was always one fighting for the objective of all and I would never turn my back on my colleagues and my country.

“Not much more to say for now. Thank you Portugal. Thank you Qatar. The dream was nice while it lasted... Now, it’s hoping that time will be a good advisor and allow each one to draw their own conclusions.”

Portugal’s top scorer

Ronaldo has 196 caps for Portugal and has scored 118 goals for his country. There were reports during the tournament that following his absence in the World Cup round of 16 match against Switzerland, Ronaldo had threatened to leave the Portugal camp. He later came out to deny those reports and is now focused on finding a new club after leaving Manchester United.

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