Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in Portugal’s 3-0 victory over Ireland in their final Euro 2024 warm-up match, potentially his last international appearance on home soil. The 39-year-old scored his 129th and 130th international goals in the game, bringing his total to 207 appearances for his country. Speculation has been circulating that Ronaldo may retire from international football or even quit the sport altogether after this year’s tournament in Germany. However, his teammate Ruben Neves believes Ronaldo still has a role to play and expects him to give his all to help the national team.
The match against Ireland saw Joao Felix open the scoring for Portugal in the 18th minute, followed by Ronaldo’s near miss from a free kick just minutes later. Ronaldo eventually found the back of the net with a brilliant left-footed shot early in the second half before adding another goal on the hour mark. Neves praised Ronaldo’s performance and expressed confidence in his ability to continue scoring goals for Portugal. The team is gearing up for their Euro 2024 Group F campaign, which begins with a match against the Czech Republic in Leipzig in a week’s time, followed by games against Turkey and Georgia.
Ronaldo’s impressive international career has seen him participate in multiple European Championships, including his first in 2004 and a victory in 2016. With his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Ronaldo’s potential retirement has been the subject of much speculation among fans and analysts. Despite his age, Ronaldo has shown no signs of slowing down and continues to be a key player for Portugal, as demonstrated by his performance against Ireland. Neves emphasized Ronaldo’s dedication to the national team and highlighted his importance as a goal scorer.
As Portugal prepares for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament, Ronaldo’s presence on the team remains crucial. Neves and the rest of the squad have high expectations for Ronaldo’s performance and are counting on him to deliver on the pitch. Ronaldo’s leadership and experience will be invaluable to Portugal as they aim for success in the competition. With the potential for this to be Ronaldo’s last international appearance on home soil, fans are eager to see him in action and witness his impact on the team as they face tough competition in their group matches.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Ronaldo’s future in football, his focus remains on the present as he prepares to lead Portugal in Euro 2024. The team’s success will depend on Ronaldo’s ability to continue to deliver goals and inspire his teammates on the field. As speculation swirls around his potential retirement, Ronaldo’s dedication and passion for the game continue to shine through in his performances. With his exceptional skills and leadership, Ronaldo has solidified his place as a legend in the sport and will be remembered for his contributions to Portuguese football for years to come.
