Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he will retire from international football on his own terms, dismissing persistent questions about the end of his career ahead of Portugal’s FIFA World Cup last-16 clash with Spain.
The 41-year-old captain addressed reporters on Sunday before what is expected to be his final World Cup campaign, making it clear that no one else would decide when he walks away from the national team.
While acknowledging that age has changed him, Ronaldo admitted: “I am not the player I used to be.”
The former Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid forward, however, insisted he was still contributing, pointing to his three goals at the tournament—two against Uzbekistan in the group stage and a penalty in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Croatia in the last 32.
Responding to repeated questions about his future, Ronaldo said: “It’s been like this since I was 18, it is not going to change.
