Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo bowed out of Euro 2024 - and potentially international football - following a shoot-out defeat to France. AFP
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo bowed out of Euro 2024 - and potentially international football - following a shoot-out defeat to France. AFP
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo bowed out of Euro 2024 - and potentially international football - following a shoot-out defeat to France. AFP
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo bowed out of Euro 2024 - and potentially international football - following a shoot-out defeat to France. AFP

Will Cristiano Ronaldo retire from international football?


Steve Luckings
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Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo is widely expected to retire from international football following their 5-3 shoot-out defeat to France in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on Friday.

It was a disappointing tournament for the 39-year-old striker, who failed to score in open play having missed a penalty against Slovenia in the last 16.

His only successful contributions both from the penalty spot in shoot-outs – the 3-0 win over Slovenia in the last 16 and Portugal's first spot kick against Frane in their quarter-final loss.

“Everything is too raw,” said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, when asked if that was Ronaldo's last game for his country. “We are suffering a defeat as a team – there are no individual decisions at this point.”

It was a record sixth and final European Championship for Ronaldo. He ended the match consoling fellow veteran Pepe as the 41-year-old defender cried on his captain's shoulder.

“We need to go through this moment of our loss, which is very painful,” Pepe said.

Ronaldo, who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr, has yet to comment on his international future.

Here is a factbox on Ronaldo's international career.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo consoles teammate Pepe following the penalty shoot-out loss to France. Getty
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo consoles teammate Pepe following the penalty shoot-out loss to France. Getty

Early days

* Born February 5, 1985 in Funchal, Madeira.

* Represented Portugal in youth football since 2001.

* Made his senior team debut in 2003, age 18.

* Played for Portugal in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens at age 19.

* Played youth club football at Nacional before joining Sporting in 2002.

International career

* Ronaldo has represented Portugal in six European Championships and four World Cup tournaments.

* Ronaldo holds the all-time record for most international goals with 130 for Portugal and is the country's most-capped player with 212 appearances.

* At the 2004 and 2016 European Championships, he helped Portugal reach the final and won the tournament in 2016.

* Ronaldo made his World Cup debut in 2006 age 21, scoring his first World Cup goal in a game against Iran.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal kisses the Henri Delaunay trophy to celebrate after their 1-0 win against France in the UEFA EURO 2016 Final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France in Paris, France. All photos by Getty Images
    Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal kisses the Henri Delaunay trophy to celebrate after their 1-0 win against France in the UEFA EURO 2016 Final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France in Paris, France. All photos by Getty Images
  • Ronaldo of Portugal kisses the Henri Delaunay trophy.
    Ronaldo of Portugal kisses the Henri Delaunay trophy.
  • Ronaldo celebrates during the award ceremony.
    Ronaldo celebrates during the award ceremony.
  • Portugal players celebrate after their side win against France.
    Portugal players celebrate after their side win against France.
  • Ronaldo lifts the Henri Delaunay trophy after his side's 1-0 win against France.
    Ronaldo lifts the Henri Delaunay trophy after his side's 1-0 win against France.
  • Ronaldo is centre of media attention as he celebrates winning at the final whistle.
    Ronaldo is centre of media attention as he celebrates winning at the final whistle.
  • Fernando Santos, manager of Portugal, is thrown into the air by his players after his side win against France.
    Fernando Santos, manager of Portugal, is thrown into the air by his players after his side win against France.
  • Ronaldo Portugal celebrates winning at the final whistle.
    Ronaldo Portugal celebrates winning at the final whistle.
  • Santos and Ronaldo celebrate winning at the final whistle.
    Santos and Ronaldo celebrate winning at the final whistle.
  • Ronaldo of Portugal shouts encouragement to his teammates from the bench.
    Ronaldo of Portugal shouts encouragement to his teammates from the bench.
  • Ronaldo is challenged by Patrice Evra and Dimitri Payet of France.
    Ronaldo is challenged by Patrice Evra and Dimitri Payet of France.
  • Ronaldo of Portugal holds his knee.
    Ronaldo of Portugal holds his knee.
  • Ronaldo of Portugal lies injured.
    Ronaldo of Portugal lies injured.
  • Bacary Sagna of France wins a header above Ronaldo.
    Bacary Sagna of France wins a header above Ronaldo.

* Portugal reached the 2006 World Cup semi-finals, which is their best performance at the tournament in Ronaldo's career.

* In 2018 Ronaldo became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match.

* He led Portugal to victory in the inaugural Uefa Nations League in 2019.

* In the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo became the first and only male player to score in five consecutive editions of the tournament with a total of eight goals.

Euro milestones

* Ronaldo marked his European Championship debut against Greece in June 2004 with a goal.

* His overall total of 14 goals is the most at the Euros. France great Michel Platini is in second place with nine.

* Ronaldo was top scorer at the 2012 and 2020 Euros and won the Silver Boot in 2016.

* Having played in every Euros since 2004, Ronaldo holds the record for most tournament appearances and is the only player to score at five in a row. Portugal teammate Pepe and Croatia's Luka Modric are joint-second with five tournament appearances.

* Ronaldo has played 30 matches at the Euros, the most of any player. Portugal teammate Pepe is second with 23.

TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

Disposing of non-recycleable masks
    Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home Do not put them in a recycling bin Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
  • No need to bag the mask
Updated: July 06, 2024, 9:17 AM