Euro 2024: Cristiano Ronaldo announces his final tournament

Portugal’s star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that Euro 2024 will be the final European Championship of his career. The 39-year-old forward will be 43 by the time the next tournament kicks off in the United Kingdom and Ireland in four years.

“This is definitely my last Euro,” Ronaldo told Portugal’s TV RTP.

However, he emphasized that he isn’t overly sentimental about this being his final tournament. “I’m driven by everything that football brings—the excitement, the passion from the fans, having my family here. It’s not about leaving football behind. What more is there for me to achieve?” he said.

Ronaldo is competing in his record-breaking sixth European Championship and previously won the tournament in 2016. He is the all-time leading goal scorer in men’s international football with 130 goals since his debut in 2010.

“The most important part of my journey is the passion I still have for being here,” he noted. “It’s been 20 years representing and playing for the national team, bringing joy to people, my family, and my children. That’s what motivates me the most.”

Portugal advanced to the quarterfinals of Euro 2024 after defeating Slovenia in a penalty shootout on Monday, July 1. They will next face 2022 FIFA World Cup finalists France for a spot in the semifinals.

During the match, Ronaldo missed a penalty kick in the 114th minute, leading to an emotional moment where his teammates had to console him as the game went to a penalty shootout.

“I missed the penalty, but I wanted to be the first to take responsibility in the shootout,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said after the game.

Despite the missed penalty, Portugal triumphed in the shootout, winning 3-0 to secure their place in the quarterfinals.