Euro 2024: Cristiano Ronaldo confirms present version is his final

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after scoring in penalty shootout of a spherical of sixteen match between Portugal and Slovenia on the Euro 2024 match in Frankfurt, Germany, on July 1, 2024
| Photograph Credit score: AP

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed this yr’s European Championship would be the final of his profession.

The Portugal famous person, who’s 39, is taking part in on the Euros for a file sixth time and his nation has reached the quarterfinals — the place Kylian Mbappé and France await in Hamburg on Friday.

Talking to Portuguese public broadcaster RTP after the penalty-shootout victory over Slovenia, Ronaldo stated: “It’s, doubtless, my final European Championship.

“However I am not emotional about that. I am moved by all that soccer means — by the passion I’ve for the sport, the passion for seeing my supporters, my household, the love individuals have for me.”

Ronaldo, who is without doubt one of the most prolific scorers in soccer historical past and has a file 14 objectives at European Championships, stated his most important motivation now was “making individuals completely happy.”

He was lowered to tears in the course of the Slovenia sport after having a penalty saved in additional time.

“It isn’t about leaving the world of soccer,” he stated. “What else is there for me to do or win? It isn’t going to return down to 1 level extra or one level much less.”