"Cristiano's future is not important now", says Portuguese after victory

Cristiano Ronaldo avoided talking about retirement from the Portugal national team after the victory over Croatia in the round of 32 finals of the World Cup.

In this Thursday's match (2), the star scored a goal and overturned his own taboo of never having scored in the knockout stages of the World Cups he played in. The emotion on the field was visible, yet another indication that his career may be nearing its end.

"[I ask fans to] Continue supporting the team as they have done so far, thinking game by game. Cristiano's future is not important now. I will speak or have time to speak when we win or lose", he said, speaking to the microphones of the Portuguese channel Sport TV.

Earlier, Kátia Aveiro, Cristiano's sister, gave an interview to the same broadcaster asking fans to take advantage of Cristiano's possible last stint with the national team. He didn't talk.

"Talking to my family to go my way... I don't make decisions - I don't make so many hot-headed decisions anymore. Now it's all calm. Enjoy today. Now it's time to rest and prepare for the next game", he concluded.

Cristiano celebrates comeback against Croatia
Even with the struggle at the end of the match and his substitution, Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed Portugal's performance against Croatia.

"A game is a game, there are good and bad things. We have to evaluate what we did wrong and correct it. From my point of view, the team played well, we had moments when we suffered, obviously, but that's part of it", he commented.

"But, to win this competition, we have to go through this. Very happy with the performance of my teammates, mine too. Now it's time to continue", he concluded.

Retirement "is close", says sister
In the interview, Kátia Aveiro, stated that Cristiano is close to his "the last dance" (the last dance) with Portugal.

"From the information I have, you can say goodbye because I believe it's [the last World Cup]. So enjoy it. It's not today, but it's close. Make the most of it, it will be difficult to find someone like him," he told Portuguese TV Sport TV.

Ronaldo has scored 973 goals in his career, 145 of them with the Portugal shirt, in 231 games - 215 as a starter -, and 35 assists. At Al Nassr, CR7 contract until 2027.

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first player to score in six World Cups

Source: CNN