Cristiano Ronaldo confirms 2022 World Cup will be his last

Twenty-three years, 232 games, 146 goals and six World Cups later, at 41, this really could be the end, and Cristiano Ronaldo will depart at peace. The day before potentially the final match of his extraordinary international career, the truth that everyone knew but Portugal’s captain had tried not to actually express, eventually came out. “This will be my last World Cup; God willing tomorrow is not my last game,” he said. And if it is, well, it is. If he has to go without lifting the only trophy to resist him, so be it.

“I’m not missing anything; God has been generous to me,” Ronaldo said. “I won’t be more Cristiano or less Cristiano if I win the World Cup or not.”

The first time Ronaldo played for Portugal was against Kazakhstan at the Estádio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira in Chaves before of 8,000 people, when he came on as a half-time substitute for Luís Figo; the last time could be against Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before 80,000. Defeat in the World Cup last 16 would eliminate Portugal and bring his time at this stage to an end.

So the final press conference before what may be the final game was Ronaldo’s moment, like he was taking it all in, maybe even enjoying it. In three languages and in front of a packed room, there were some jokes and a few little digs, mostly delivered with a smile. He noted how for two decades they have tried to “kill” him and pointed out that three goals at this tournament is not too bad. When it was suggested that he might not be back, he replied: “You don’t want me back.”

“You always ask the same question, whether this is the last one. We’ll see. I don’t want to draw attention to that, it isn’t important, what’s important is whether we go through,” Ronaldo had insisted at the beginning, but he talked like a man who knows the time has come. Then he said it had, and what is said can’t be unsaid. The end can only be put off: another day, another round. Four more, at most.

“The day will come,” he said, “but, honestly, whatever happens tomorrow, I will leave with a clear conscious, not 100% but 1,000% because I have given everything to football. I don’t need it; I live well, but it’s about passion. I play football because I love it. Whatever happens tomorrow I can’t put pressure on myself, saying we have the obligation to win. No, what will be will be. You have to enjoy it day to day. And I have scored three goals. I’m not doing too badly, right?

“They’ve tried to kill me for 23 years. There’s no point paying too much attention to it. It’s part of it … People in Portugal have faith, they never fail us, they’re always on our side, my side. All the rest is rubbish. It doesn’t matter at all. I’m not lacking anything in life. God has given me everything, more than I ever expected. Age gives you maturity and experience. I’m thankful even for the attacks I receive. That’s how you grow as a person, it has made me stronger, and I thank you journalists for that, because of that I’ve grown even more.

“You have to enjoy every day, like the last World Cup, which it will be, but hopefully, hopefully, tomorrow is not the last day. Hopefully. And then you can kill me a bit more.”