Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he considered international retirement following the World Cup in Qatar.
Portugal crashed out at the quarter-final stage after defeat against Morocco, with Ronaldo losing his spot in the starting line-up for the knockout stages.
Fernando Santos dropped Ronaldo to the bench for the last-16 tie against Switzerland, with his replacement Goncalo Guedes scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 6-1 victory.
Ronaldo would continue as a substitute for the clash with Morocco, which almost spelled the end of his Portugal career.
I m not going to lie. In our life, we have to put everything on the scale, Ronaldo said ahead of a Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein.
We thought, we reflected, me and my family, but then we came to the conclusion that, despite the difficulties, we cannot throw in the towel. I was able to see situations at different angles. I learned a lot from that.
I m glad to be back. Roberto Martinez showed that he counted on me. I ve always wanted to play. As you know, he talked to everyone and to me, too. And I was able to realise that I have a lot to give to the national team.
I feel it, I want it, and my desire is to take Portugal to the highest level. I will always give my contribution when they need me.
O ritmo não abranda, o objetivo não muda:
