Will Cristiano play in Euro 2024 for Portugal? Few players have contributed as significantly to the national team as the now 39-year-old superstar, showcasing some of his most memorable moments while representing his country. So much so, that the Portuguese legend hasn’t just made the most appearances for A Seleção’s (205) but he has also scored the most goals. Ronaldo currently has 128 goals in 205 appearances, which is significantly more than second-place Pauleta (47).
That combined with his achievements as a footballer places the 39-year-old on a pedestal higher than most footballers with that especially being the case for Portugal. However, despite that, given his age, rumours indicated that the forward may not be a part of Euro 2024. But Ronaldo refuted those claims during an interview in 2023 where he predicted a long future for himself.
Will Cristiano play in Euro 2024 for Portugal?
The Al-Nassr star was asked about his future after he earned his 200th cap for Portugal, a monumental occasion given that no male footballer has hit that figure. There Ronaldo revealed that he had no plans to retire any time soon and only wanted to keep enjoying his football. Not only that, the now 39-year-old confirmed his presence at the Euro 2024 and asserted that he wants to keep helping his country do its best.
“I always have something to prove, when we have nothing to prove it is a sign that we are dead for life. Every year I always have something to prove. Proving that I can set an example of longevity, at 38-and-a-half years old I think I’ll still do very interesting things,” Ronaldo said, reported Goal.
“What? Goals, assists, good preparation in the Selection, having a good qualifying phase, a good European Championship and continuing to do what I’ve done in my 21-year career. I’ll continue to enjoy it the same way. I still feel useful and good. It’s continuing to enjoy football, which is what I like most.”
Frank Leboeuf believes that Portugal could win Euro 2024 without Ronaldo
However, with the tournament fast approaching, many have predicted Portugal to be amongst the favourites to lift the crown. That is despite the likes of France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and even Belgium among the various heavyweights to have qualified. Yet while Frank Leboeuf also reiterated that, he believes that the Portuguese side could do better without Ronaldo.
A World Cup and Euro winner with France, Leboeuf praised the 39-year-old for his achievements during his career but asserted that there is an end to every career. Furthermore, the Frenchman believes that Ronaldo playing in Saudi Arabia and Lionel Messi playing in the US should mark them out of contention for their various international squads.
“For me, Portugal are actually one of the contenders for this summer’s European Championships. I actually think they can win the Euros, but only if Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t play. You cannot take away anything that Ronaldo has done for football just because he has gone to retire in the Saudi League. I want to thank him for taking the sport to another level, but there is an end for everyone,” Lebouf told BetVictor.
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“He has every right to play in Saudi Arabia, although I’m not sure he needed even more money! I have no problem with players coming to the end of their careers going to play in lesser leagues to earn more money, the same has happened with Lionel Messi.
“Both of them were fantastic players but they have chosen not to play at the top level anymore and we have to respect that. You can never take away what they have done for football. The competition between those two actually made the entire sport better. It made it more attractive.”