Ronaldo: ‘I’ll Retire When I Want To, Not When You Want Me To’
Portugal Captain Dismisses Retirement Talk Before World Cup Quarterfinal
Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he will retire ‘when I want to’ as Portugal prepare to face Spain in the World Cup quarterfinals in Dallas on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference at AT&T Stadium, the 41-year-old captain described Spain as ‘one of the favorites to win the title’ but stressed that his team is calm and ready for the challenge.
‘If we didn’t believe in this idea, we wouldn’t be here,’ Ronaldo said. ‘Tomorrow we’re up against a very difficult opponent, but we’ll be ready.’
Ronaldo dismissed repeated questions about whether this will be his final World Cup, saying: ‘I’ll retire when I want to. Not when you want me to. The most important thing is that we play well tomorrow and believe we can get through to the next round.’
He emphasized that his influence on the squad remains strong, whether he plays or not.
The veteran forward reflected on the atmosphere of the tournament, calling it the most emotional World Cup of his career.
He highlighted the unity shown by Portugal’s squad, including wearing a captain’s armband inscribed with the names of all players in tribute to Diogo Jota.
‘This World Cup has really been defined by the passion of the fans,’ Ronaldo said. ‘That’s what stays with you, more than the goals.’
Ronaldo acknowledged criticism throughout his career but insisted it has only made him stronger.
‘For 23 years they’ve tried to kill me. But they’ve realized it’s not worth it. Some people like me more, others less. I’m used to it. It’s part of the job.’
Looking ahead to Spain, Ronaldo praised their talent and singled out teenage star Lamine Yamal as ‘a player with a great future,’ while stressing that Spain’s strength lies in their collective play.
‘Whoever handles the small details best will win. I hope it’s Portugal,’ he said.
With three goals already in the tournament, Ronaldo remains confident he can deliver again.
‘Playing at 41 has been a great experience. I’m not the player I used to be, but nothing has changed. I’m still scoring goals, and I hope I score tomorrow. If I don’t, I hope one of my teammates does and we go through.’
