Portugal's veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed once again, this time at a press conference, that this FIFA World Cup will be the last of his career. It marks his sixth World Cup, and on the eve of the pre-quarterfinal clash against Spain, the 41 year old repeated a hint he has dropped several times before, this time in front of a room full of reporters. Ronaldo made the remark in his familiar witty, light hearted style, though the exchange ended with some friendly banter directed at an Argentine journalist. Notably, this comes soon after Neymar's own announcement about retiring from international football, which made Ronaldo's press conference carry even more weight as he echoed a similar farewell note.
A hotel memory and a joke about an Argentine flight attendant
Smiling through the press conference, Ronaldo said the love of the people and the memories tied to them are his biggest treasure. He said the moments spent with team staff and Latin American fans at the hotel rank among his most beautiful memories. He then shared a lighter anecdote from the previous day. While flying, he came across an Argentine flight attendant, and he said he could tell she was from Argentina simply by the way she looked at him. He jokingly told her that the way she was looking at him made it obvious she was Argentine, adding that if someone looks at him and immediately turns away, he instantly takes it as a sign that person does not care much for Cristiano.
Ronaldo wants to savour every moment that is left
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star said he wants to fully enjoy every single moment of what is his last World Cup. In a playful tone, he said he hopes the next day's match will not turn out to be his final one, so that people can keep criticising him for a few more days. Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals in international football with 146 goals, and he has hinted at his eventual retirement on previous occasions as well.
God has given me everything I never even imagined
Ronaldo's tone then turned serious. He said there is nothing lacking in his life and that God has been extremely generous towards him. He said God gave him everything he had never even imagined, especially through his journey with the national team, and that his personal life has also given him everything he could want. That, he said, is why he now wants to enjoy every single moment. Ronaldo added plainly that winning or not winning the World Cup will neither make him a bigger Cristiano nor a smaller one.
