Cristiano Ronaldo has told a media conference at the World Cup that he will retire from international football “when I want to, not when you want me to”.
The 41-year-old Portugal forward became the first player to score at six editions of the global showpiece when he grabbed two goals in his country’s 5-0 Group K win over Uzbekistan.
But on the eve of Portugal’s last-16 tie against Iberian rivals Spain, speculation has been mounting over when he will finally hang up his international boots after he was substituted in Friday’s 2-1 knockout win over Croatia.
Ronaldo, quoted by Portuguese paper A Bola, told a press conference: “I’m always body and soul to help the national team. Playing or not playing, I will always have an important role.
“I’ll finish when I want to, not when you want me to. It’s a waste of time to keep asking that question.
“But I don’t want to turn my attention to that. The most important thing is (the game against Spain on Monday).”
The former Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid forward, who made his senior debut for Sporting as a 17-year-old in 2002, has spent the last three and a half years with Al Nassr and earlier this summer signed a contract extension with the Saudi side until 2027.
Portugal finished second in their group behind Colombia as a 1-1 opening draw against DR Congo was followed by the convincing win over Uzbekistan and a goalless draw against the South Americans.
In the last-32 tie against Croatia, Ronaldo converted a second-half penalty for Roberto Martinez’s side – taking his tally for the tournament to three – before Goncalo Ramos struck a stoppage-time winner.
Ronaldo added: “If we didn’t have the idea that we could win the World Cup, we wouldn’t be here. It has been a beautiful experience. We have improved game by game.
“We know that it is a competition where it is impossible to play well in all games and it is not easy for anyone, just see who has already been eliminated.
“I see the team calm, we trained well, we prepared well. (On Monday) we will face a super difficult team, but we are prepared.”
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