Cristiano Ronaldo is keeping everyone in the dark when it comes to his international future, including Portugal team-mate Diogo Jota.
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All-time great went goalless at Euro 2024No announcement on World Cup planRemains a prolific presence at club levelWHAT HAPPENED?
The 39-year-old frontman played 486 minutes at Euro 2024 – more than anybody else in Roberto Martinez’s squad – but went goalless through that event before suffering a quarter-final defeat to France. Ronaldo has won 212 caps for his country, scoring 130 goals, but has seen questions asked of whether he will grace another showpiece.
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The next World Cup is two years away, with Ronaldo set to be 41 by that point, but the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has shown no sign of slowing down at club level with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. His form there, which included 50 goals last season, earned him a prominent role at another European Championship – but there has been criticism of how much faith was shown in the all-time great.
WHAT JOTA SAID
Jota was among those to see his game time limited by Ronaldo, as he saw just 97 minutes of action, but the Liverpool star has told the of sitting behind CR7 and whether he will be seen on a major international stage again: “I don't have much to say about it. I think we could have gone all the way but we lost in the quarter-finals. I'm always ready to help my country. It wasn't required so you get that frustration from feeling that you could have helped.
“I am not sure about [the Euros being Ronaldo's last international tournament]. I am not sure what he told about his last tournament. But he has been an inspiration for me since his early days, since I can remember. He is an icon and won the Ballon d’Or multiple times. He was a reference for me. I was glad to share a dressing room with him and learn everything I could for him. I will thank him for that.”
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Attention is now turning back to domestic matters, with Jota rejoining the Liverpool fold under new head coach Arne Slot. Ronaldo is yet to link back up with Al-Nassr, but has 12 months remaining on his lucrative contract in the Middle East.