Cristiano Ronaldo is saying goodbye to the Portuguese national team. The end of an era, plain and simple.
Just weeks after Messi’s similarly historic decision, his longtime rival has also decided to call it a day.
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His clash with Portugal coach Jorge Jesus during the last international break just a month ago has undoubtedly played a part, but the superstar from Funchal may already have been considering the decision.
For Cristiano, this brings to an end a journey of 146 goals in 234 appearances, numbers that played no small part in helping Portugal win a European Championship and two Nations League titles. His biggest regret remains the World Cup, which eluded him in all six editions he took part in.
🔚 “The time has come”
The announcement came on Cristiano’s Instagram account, through a video in which the Real Madrid legend looked back on more than twenty years wearing his country’s shirt.
His words to his people made clear the bond forged over these 23 years between Cristiano and the rest of the country.
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“Portugal will always be a part of me, but the time has come to hang up our national team’s number 7 shirt. I have never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I have had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it and defending it in stadiums around the world“.
It remains to be seen whether, as with Messi, there will be one final appearance. Jorge Jesus had already opened the door to his number 7’s return, so he should have the chance to bid farewell to his people in just a few days, during the next international break.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
