Cristiano Ronaldo’s Future in Question as Euro 2024 Ends in Quarter-Final Defeat
At Euro 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo, the 39-year-old footballing icon, played 486 minutes—more than any other player in Roberto Martinez’s squad—but was unable to find the net before Portugal’s quarter-final defeat to France.
With 212 caps and 130 goals for his country, Ronaldo’s future on the international stage has come under scrutiny as he approaches the end of his illustrious career. The next World Cup is just two years away, and Ronaldo will be 41 by then, prompting speculation about whether he will feature in another major tournament.
Despite his advancing age, Ronaldo has continued to perform at a high level for his club, Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, where he scored an impressive 50 goals last season.
His remarkable form at the club level has kept him in the spotlight, but there have been debates about the extent to which he has been relied upon in the national team, especially given the impact on other players.
One such player affected by Ronaldo’s dominance was Diogo Jota, who saw limited action during the Euro 2024 campaign, managing only 97 minutes on the field.
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In an interview with the Liverpool Echo, Jota expressed mixed feelings about his experience. “I don’t have much to say about it,” Jota said.
“I think we could have gone all the way, but we lost in the quarter-finals. I’m always ready to help my country. It wasn’t required, so you get that frustration from feeling that you could have helped.”
When asked about the possibility of Euro 2024 being Ronaldo’s final international tournament, Jota was uncertain.
“I am not sure about whether the Euros will be his last international tournament. I am not sure what he has said about his future. But he has been an inspiration for me since his early days, since I can remember.”
“He is an icon and has won the Ballon d’Or multiple times. He was a reference for me. I was glad to share a dressing room with him and learn everything I could from him. I will always be thankful for that.”
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As the football world shifts focus back to domestic matters, Jota is set to rejoin Liverpool under new head coach Arne Slot. Meanwhile, Ronaldo is yet to resume training with Al-Nassr, but he still has 12 months remaining on his lucrative contract with the Saudi Pro League side.
With speculation about Ronaldo’s international future and his continued influence on and off the pitch, football fans will be watching closely to see how the final chapters of his storied career unfold.