Ronaldo Determined to Play in 2026 World Cup Despite Portugal Exit

Cristiano Ronaldo's future with the Portugal national team has become a subject of speculation following the team's disappointing exit from Euro 2024 at the quarter-final stage. Despite a prolific season with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, Ronaldo struggled to make an impact at the tournament, failing to score or assist in Portugal's four matches.

However, according to a report in Relevo, Ronaldo is determined to continue his international career and has set his sights on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The report claims that Ronaldo wants to become the first player in history to appear and score in six editions of the flagship competition.

Ronaldo's desire to continue playing for Portugal stems from his belief that he can still contribute to the team's success. Despite his advancing age, Ronaldo remains one of the most prolific goalscorers in the world, having scored over 800 goals for club and country.

However, Ronaldo's international future remains uncertain. After Portugal's quarter-final defeat to France, Ronaldo admitted that Euro 2024 could be his last European Championship. He said, "These are inexplicable moments. I had the chance to put the national team ahead and I didn't manage it."

Despite Ronaldo's comments, Portugal manager Fernando Santos has expressed his desire to keep Ronaldo in the team. Santos said, "Cristiano Ronaldo is still a very important player for us. He is a leader and a role model for the younger players."

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to continue playing for Portugal lies with Ronaldo. If he decides to retire from international football, it will mark the end of an era for Portugal. Ronaldo has been a key figure in the team's success over the past two decades, helping them win the European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019.

Tags: #CristianoRonaldo, #Portugal, #Euro2024, #2026WorldCup, #InternationalFootball