Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has revealed no decision has been made on Cristiano Ronaldo‘s international future after their Euro 2024 knockout.
Ronaldo played the full 120 minutes and scored his penalty in the shootout defeat by France last night with his country crashing out at the quarter-final stage.
The superstar had admitted this European Championship is likely to be his last and question marks remain over whether he will be involved in Martinez’s future plans.
Now 39, Ronaldo was a regular fixture in Portugal’s side but failed to score his first goal at the tournament before Les Blues triumphed from the spot.
Veteran defender Pepe, meanwhile, became the oldest player in the history of the competition aged 41 and could also decide to hang up his boots.
No decision has been made over Cristiano Ronaldo’s international future with Portugal
Roberto Martinez admitted emotions were too ‘raw’ to make decisions after the Euro 2024 exit
Asked whether the duo had featured on the international stage for the last time, Martinez said: ‘No. Everything is too raw. We are still suffering the defeat.
‘There’s no individual decisions at this point.’
Pepe was in tears as Ronaldo consoled him after the final whistle, with Martinez adding: ‘His tears are frustration. Pepe is a role model in Portuguese football.
‘What he did tonight and in the tournament will stay with us for the next generations.’
Despite Ronaldo’s struggles in front of goal, Martinez refused to drop the talisman.
Ronaldo consoled a visibly emotional Pepe after the penalty shootout defeat by France
The superstar, now 39, revealed this European Championship is likely to be his last
Mail Sport columnist Chris Sutton hit out at the tactician for his ‘obsession’ with the forward, insisting his failure to hook him showed a ‘lack of imagination’.
‘Ronaldo is managing the team and Martinez isn’t. When you have options like they do on the bench – he is hampering them,’ Sutton said.
Ronaldo, now plying his trade for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has scored 130 goals for Portugal in 212 appearances and has not ruled out playing at the 2026 World Cup.
