Portugal's European Championship quarterfinal against France can be Cristiano Ronaldo's last big football match.
In Hamburg, the superstar is chasing both a semifinal and the record as the European Championship's oldest goalscorer of all time.
After Portugal's penalty shootout victory in the round of 16 against Slovenia in Frankfurt on Monday, Cristiano Ronaldo stated that this year's football European Championship in Germany will be the 39-year-old's last, in an interview with RTP.
On Friday, a big match awaits against France in the quarterfinal in Hamburg. A match that can be the Al-Nassr forward's last in an international championship.
Ronaldo, European champion with Portugal in 2016, has already written European Championship history in Germany by becoming the player who has played the most championships (6) and the most knockout stage matches (29, so far).
"First sorrow – then joy"
He has previously scored the most goals (14, most recently in the group stage in 2021). If he scores against France, he will surpass Luka Modric as the oldest goalscorer. The Croatian was 38 years and 289 days old when he scored against Italy in the group stage finale.
Ronaldo is still goalless in this year's European Championship, despite starting in four consecutive matches. Against Slovenia, his penalty was saved by goalkeeper Jan Oblak in extra time. The attacking veteran cried in front of the team, only to score Portugal's first penalty in the penalty shootout – and cried again.
First, it was out of sorrow, and then out of joy. That's what you get from football: inexplicable moments, a bit of everything, says Cristiano Ronaldo, according to AFP.
Defended by the national team coach
Portugal's national team coach Roberto Martinez praises Ronaldo, who has been criticized for being egoistic.
Cristiano is our captain. He showed that there are tough moments in life and in football, and that we cannot give up, says the Spaniard, according to AFP.
If Portugal is eliminated by France in the European Championship quarterfinal, it can be Ronaldo's last big championship match. In two years, the World Championship will be held in Mexico, the USA, and Canada.
Then, Ronaldo will be 41 years old, and it is uncertain whether he will still be relevant to be selected for Portugal's national team and whether the team qualifies for the championship.
