Football News: Cristiano Ronaldo will not retire and is aiming for Euro 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Portugal, has stated that he does not intend to retire from international competition following the World Cup and instead hopes to play in Euro 2024
As his career winds down, the 37-year-old has spent most of this season on Manchester United's bench after trying to depart in the summer.
Ronaldo was keen to play in the Champions League, but no serious offers came from Europe.
He is currently serving his country abroad with Portugal and was honoured at the Quinas de Ouro ceremony on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, at a gala sponsored by the Portuguese Football Federation, the Manchester United forward, who in September became the highest men's international goal scorer with 109 goals, claimed that the "road is not over yet" for him.
"I am proud to receive an award of this magnitude," Ronaldo told the guests. "I never thought that one day I could achieve it. I thank everyone who was important in my career. It has been a long road, but I would like to say that my road is not over yet. [You're going to have to] take a little more load from Cris [Ronaldo]."
Ronaldo is set to feature in his 10th major international tournament for Portugal in Qatar 2022, making his Portugal debut in 2003 and scoring 117 goals in 189 games.
It wasn't until the forward scored twice against the Republic of Ireland in September 2021 that he surpassed the 109 goals held by the great Iranian striker Ali Daei.
The Portugal captain, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has played in nine international tournaments for his country, beginning with Euro 2004. He won Euro 2016 and the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League along with his national team.
"I hope to be part of the Federation for a few more years," he added. "I still feel motivated; my ambition is high. I'm in a team with young people. I want to be part of this World Cup and the European too; I'm going to assume that right away."
Ronaldo was ecstatic to add another trophy to his collection. He received a standing ovation after being named to Portugal's current team for the forthcoming Nations League games against the Czech Republic and Spain.
The attacker, who formerly played for Juventus and Real Madrid, then joked about how long his career had been.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been backed for World Cup glory
Manchester United teammate and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes thinks Ronaldo will keep setting records for Portugal when the World Cup ends in November in Qatar.
Recently, Ronaldo was included in the 30-man list of Ballon d'Or candidates after scoring six goals to help Portugal qualify for the World Cup.
Despite Ronaldo's 24 goals in all competitions for United last year, the club nevertheless managed to finish sixth in the Premier League with their fewest points ever.
As manager since the summer, Erik ten Hag has been starting Marcus Rashford ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the league.
In last week's 2-0 Europa League triumph over Sheriff Tiraspol, Ronaldo finally scored after a goalless stretch from the penalty spot. The goal was his first season and 699th for the club overall.
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