Did Cristiano Ronaldo Retire From International Football?

Did Ronaldo Retire From International Football?

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most famous and successful footballers in the world. He has won the Ballon d’Or five times, the Champions League five times, and the European Championship twice. But in June 2022, he shocked the world by announcing his retirement from international football.

This decision came after Portugal’s disappointing performance at the UEFA Nations League, where they were eliminated in the group stage. Ronaldo was Portugal’s captain and top scorer, but he was unable to help his team to victory.

Ronaldo’s retirement from international football has sparked a lot of debate. Some people believe that it was the right decision, given Portugal’s recent struggles. Others believe that it was a mistake, and that Ronaldo could have helped Portugal to win more trophies.

Only time will tell whether Ronaldo’s decision to retire from international football was the right one. But one thing is for sure: it is a major turning point in his career.

Date	Event	Details
August 23, 2018	Ronaldo announces retirement from international football	After Portugal’s 2-1 defeat to Uruguay in the round of 16 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football. He said that he was “sad” and “disappointed” with the result, but that he was “proud” of his team’s performance.
June 15, 2019	Ronaldo returns to international football	Ronaldo reversed his decision to retire from international football and was named in Portugal’s squad for the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals. He scored two goals in Portugal’s 3-1 victory over Netherlands in the final, helping his team to win the tournament.

Background

Ronaldo’s international career

Cristiano Ronaldo has represented Portugal at the international level since 2003. He has made a total of 184 appearances for the national team, scoring 115 goals. Ronaldo has helped Portugal to win the 2016 European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League. He is Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer and has also appeared in the 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 World Cups.

Portugal’s national team

Portugal’s national team is one of the most successful teams in European football. They have won the European Championship twice (in 2016 and 2004) and the UEFA Nations League once (in 2019). Portugal have also reached the final of the World Cup twice (in 2006 and 2018).

The 2018 World Cup

The 2018 World Cup was held in Russia. Portugal were drawn in Group B alongside Spain, Morocco, and Iran. Portugal finished top of the group, but were eliminated in the round of 16 by Uruguay. Ronaldo scored four goals in the tournament, including a hat-trick against Spain.

The Retirement Announcement

When did Ronaldo announce his retirement?

Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on July 15, 2018. He made the announcement in an interview with Portuguese newspaper, Record.

What did he say in his announcement?

In his announcement, Ronaldo said: “I’m not going to play for Portugal anymore. It’s over. I’ve made my decision.” He added: “I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved with Portugal. We won the European Championship and the Nations League. We made history. It’s time for the next generation to take over.”

How did fans and pundits react?

Fans and pundits were shocked by Ronaldo’s announcement. Many people felt that he was still one of the best players in the world and that he could still help Portugal to win more trophies. However, Ronaldo insisted that he had made the right decision and that he was ready to focus on his club career.

Ronaldo’s retirement from international football was a major shock to the football world. He is one of the greatest players of all time and his absence will be felt by Portugal for many years to come. However, Ronaldo has made the decision that is best for him and it is important to respect that. He will go down in history as one of the greatest players to ever wear the Portugal shirt and his legacy will live on for many years to come.

The Backlash

On June 26, 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football following Portugal’s disappointing exit from the World Cup at the round of 16 stage. The decision came as a surprise to many, as Ronaldo had been Portugal’s captain and talisman for many years.

The backlash to Ronaldo’s announcement was swift and intense. Many fans and pundits were critical of his decision, accusing him of quitting on his country when they needed him most. Others questioned his commitment to Portugal, and suggested that he was more interested in his own personal glory than in helping his country win.

Ronaldo’s decision also sparked a debate about the future of international football. Some argued that the game was becoming too demanding, and that players were no longer able to maintain their peak form for both club and country. Others argued that international football was still important, and that players should be willing to put their club careers on hold in order to represent their country.

In the end, Ronaldo’s decision was his own to make. He had given his all for Portugal over the years, and he had every right to retire when he felt the time was right. However, his decision will continue to be debated for years to come.

What were the main criticisms of his decision?

The main criticisms of Ronaldo’s decision were that he was quitting on his country when they needed him most, that he was more interested in his own personal glory than in helping Portugal win, and that he was damaging the future of international football.

Some fans and pundits argued that Ronaldo’s decision was a sign of weakness. They pointed out that Portugal had been one of the favorites to win the World Cup, and that Ronaldo’s departure had left the team without its best player. They also argued that Ronaldo’s decision would make it more difficult for Portugal to qualify for future tournaments.

Others argued that Ronaldo was more interested in his own personal glory than in helping Portugal win. They pointed out that Ronaldo had already won the World Cup in 2016, and that he was now more focused on his own individual achievements than on helping his country win more trophies. They also argued that Ronaldo’s decision would damage the future of international football, by sending the message that players were no longer willing to put their club careers on hold in order to represent their country.

How did Ronaldo respond to the backlash?

Ronaldo responded to the backlash by issuing a statement through his agent, Jorge Mendes. In the statement, Ronaldo said that he had made the decision to retire from international football after much thought and deliberation. He said that he had given his all for Portugal over the years, and that he was proud of what he had achieved. He also said that he would continue to support Portugal from the sidelines, and that he hoped to one day return to the national team.

Ronaldo’s statement did little to quell the backlash. Many fans and pundits continued to criticize his decision, and some even called for him to be stripped of his captaincy. However, Ronaldo remained defiant, and he refused to back down from his decision.

The Return

On August 15, 2018, Ronaldo announced that he would be returning to international football. The announcement came just days after Portugal had qualified for the 2020 European Championship.

Ronaldo’s decision to return was met with mixed reactions. Some fans and pundits were happy to see him back, while others were skeptical of his motives. However, Ronaldo’s performances on the pitch quickly silenced his critics.

In his first game back for Portugal, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against the Netherlands. He then went on to score a further four goals in Portugal’s next two games. Ronaldo’s return to international football was a huge success, and he helped Portugal to qualify for the European Championship in style.

When did Ronaldo return to international football?

Ronaldo returned to international football on August 15, 2018. He made his first appearance for Portugal in a friendly against the Netherlands.

What was his reason for coming back?

Ronaldo said that he had decided to return to international football in order to help Portugal qualify for the 2020 European Championship. He also said that he wanted to help Portugal win the tournament.

How did he perform in his first game back?

Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in his first game back for Portugal. He also scored four goals in Portugal’s next two games. Ronaldo’s performances on the pitch quickly silenced his critics.

Q: Did Ronaldo retire from international football?

A: No, Ronaldo has not retired from international football. He is still a member of the Portuguese national team and is expected to play in the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

Q: Why did Ronaldo miss the World Cup qualifiers?

A: Ronaldo missed the World Cup qualifiers due to a knee injury. He was initially expected to be out for up to six weeks, but he made a quicker-than-expected recovery and was able to return to the national team in time for the World Cup.

Q: What is Ronaldo’s goalscoring record for Portugal?

A: Ronaldo has scored 117 goals for Portugal, making him the country’s all-time leading goalscorer. He has also scored in nine consecutive major tournaments for Portugal, a record that is unmatched by any other player.

Q: What are Ronaldo’s chances of winning the World Cup?

A: Ronaldo is one of the favorites to win the World Cup this year. He is in the form of his life and is playing at a level that is unmatched by any other player in the world. If Portugal can get past the group stage, they will be considered serious contenders to win the tournament.

Q: What is the future of Ronaldo’s international career?

A: It is difficult to say what the future holds for Ronaldo’s international career. He is still playing at a very high level, but he is also getting older. It is possible that he will retire from international football after the World Cup, but it is also possible that he will continue to play for Portugal for a few more years.

Cristiano Ronaldo did not retire from international football. He announced his decision to step down from the Portugal national team following the 2018 World Cup, but later reversed his decision. He has since played in the UEFA Nations League and the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Ronaldo’s decision to retire from international football was met with mixed reactions. Some fans were disappointed, while others understood his decision. Ronaldo himself cited fatigue and the need to spend more time with his family as reasons for his decision.

However, Ronaldo’s return to the Portugal national team has been met with excitement. He is still one of the best players in the world, and his presence on the team gives Portugal a better chance of winning major tournaments.

Ronaldo’s decision to return to international football is a reminder that he is still driven to win. He is one of the most decorated players in football history, and he is not ready to give up on the chance to add to his trophy collection.