publish time

02/07/2024

author name Arab Times

publish time

02/07/2024

Portugal's Pepe left, and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate their win in penalty shootouts after a round of sixteen match between Portugal and Slovenia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Frankfurt, Germany. (AP )

HAMBURG, Germany, July 2, (AP): Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed this year's European Championship will be the last of his career.

The Portugal superstar, who is 39, is playing at the Euros for a record sixth time and has helped his country reach the quarterfinals - where Kylian Mbappé and France await in Hamburg on Friday.
Speaking to Portuguese public broadcaster RTP after the penalty-shootout victory over Slovenia on Monday, Ronaldo said: "It is, without doubt, my last European Championship.

"But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by all that football means - by my enthusiasm for the game, the enthusiasm for seeing my supporters, my family, the affection people have for me."
Ronaldo, one of the most prolific scorers in soccer history and has a record 14 goals at the European Championships, said his main motivation now was "making people happy.” He was reduced to tears during the Slovenia game after having a penalty saved in extra time.
"It’s not about leaving the world of football," he said. "What else is there for me to do or win? It won’t come down to one point more or one point less.”