(Lisbon) Cristiano Ronaldo, who is about to reach the symbolic bar of 200 selections on Tuesday by starting with Portugal against Iceland in qualifying for Euro-2024, assured the day before that he would “never” take his international retirement of his own free will.
“I will never give up coming here (in the Portugal team, editor’s note), because it’s still a dream. Reaching 200 international matches is not for just anyone, it shows the love I have for my country and our selection, “said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner during a press conference on Monday at Reykjavík.
The 38-year-old striker, who joined Saudi club Al-Nassr in January, claimed the men’s national team cap record in March, playing his 197th game against Liechtenstein to dethrone Kuwait’s Bader Al – Mutawa.
“It would be spectacular to crown the 200th match for the selection with a goal,” commented the native of Madeira, also the world record holder for the selection, on Monday, with a tally that continued to increase to reach up to here 122 realizations.
“I don’t chase records, they chase me. I am happy, because it is part of my motivation to continue at the highest level with the selection. This is something I never thought I would accomplish,” he added.
At his side at a press conference, his new coach Roberto Martinez confirmed the tenure on Tuesday of the former star of Manchester United, Real Madrid or Juventus Turin.
The meeting in Iceland “will be a celebration”, said the Spaniard. “A player who reaches 200 games is unique. It’s a source of pride for Portuguese football,” he said.
Since the arrival of the former Belgium coach at the start of the year, Ronaldo has played the first three qualifying matches for Euro-2024 and scored two doubles in Portugal’s victories against Liechtenstein (4-0) and Luxembourg (6-0).
The striker also played the whole game last Saturday against Bosnia, but he did not score any of the three goals in the Portuguese victory (3-0).