Cristiano Ronaldo has finally spoken out following Portugal's heartbreaking exit from Euro 2024.
Ronaldo's aspirations of clinching another trophy at his sixth and final European Championship were dashed on Friday as Portugal succumbed to France in the quarter-final.
The tense encounter in Hamburg ended goalless after 120 minutes of play, with World Cup finalists France emerging victorious by 5-3 in the ensuing penalty shootout.
“We wanted more. We deserved more. For us. For each and every one of you. By by Portugal,” Ronaldo posted on Instagram.
“We are grateful for all that you have given us and all that we have accomplished so far.
“On and off the field, I’m sure this legacy will be honoured and continue to be built. Together,” he added.
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Remember, Ronaldo is nearing the end of his career and he previously said that Euro 2024 would be his last European competition with the national side but it is still uncertain whether he had played his last match with Portugal or not.
After losing to France on penalties, Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez opened up on Ronaldo’s future, saying that it is "too soon" to say if the star footballer is retiring from international football or not.
"It's too soon and raw after the match to talk about that and there have been no individual decisions made," Martinez said at a news conference when asked if it had been Ronaldo's last game in a Portugal jersey.
Ronaldo ended his Euro 2024 campaign without scoring a single goal and that was the first time in his 20-year-long career that he failed to score in an international tournament.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star will be 41 years old when the 2026 World Cup begins in the United States, Canada and Mexico and whether he will represent Portugal there or not is still a question.
