Cristiano Ronaldo Says Euro 2024 Will Be His Last with Portugal: 'Without a Doubt'
Jul 2, 2024
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - JULY 1: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal runs with the ball during the Round of 16 - UEFA EURO 2024 match between Portugal and Slovenia at Deutsche Bank Park on July 1, 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany. (Photo by Peter Lous/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Legendary soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo said Tuesday that this year's European Championship will be the final one of his career.
Ronald confirmed his Euro future in an interview with Portugal TV's RTP (h/t ESPN's Adriana Garcia), saying:
"Without a doubt it's the last Euro [for me], of course it is.
"But I'm not emotional about that. I'm moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people's passion... it's not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?"
The 39-year-old veteran, who is playing in a record sixth career European Championship, has helped Portugal reach the quarterfinals of Euro 2024.
While Portugal are now three wins away from their second-ever Euro title, the tournament has been a struggle for Ronaldo thus far.
The all-time leading goal scorer across all major competitions has yet to score a goal at Euro 2024 in Germany, and he nearly went out on the lowest note imaginable.
In Monday's Round of 16 match against Slovenia, Ronaldo took a penalty with the score tied in the 114th minute, but goalkeeper Jan Oblak turned it away.
The match ended up going to penalty kicks, which is always a crapshoot, but Ronaldo was fortunate that Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa came up big, as he stopped all three of Slovenia's attempts to seal the win for Portugal.
Eight years ago, Ronaldo and Portugal won Euro 2016 in France, marking what is still the crowning international achievement of Ronaldo's career.
They also reached the final in 2004 and semifinal in 2012, so it is fair to say that Ronaldo has nothing left to prove in the event.
However, Ronaldo going public with the information that it is his final Euro could be a wise tactical move in terms of motivating the squad as a whole to go the distance and win it for him one last time.
Given that Ronaldo will be 43 at the next Euro in 2028, his stance comes as little surprise, although it doesn't make it any less sad of a prospect for soccer fans.
Assuming Ronaldo does attempt to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at 41 years of age, that could prove to be his final international event, which would mark the end of an era.
For now, the focus remains on Euro 2024 and Portugal potentially establishing themselves as European champions for the second time in eight years.
However, if Ronaldo and Portugal are going to get it done, they must go through France in the quarters, who are the top-ranked European team in the FIFA rankings at No. 2 in the world.
UEFA Bans YouTuber Who Got into Euro 2024 Stadium in Fake Mascot Costume
Jun 17, 2024
BERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 15: UEFA EURO 2024 logo prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Spain and Croatia at Olympiastadion on June 15, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
The UEFA has banned a German YouTuber who got onto the field during the European Championship opening ceremony disguised as a mascot, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
Marvin Wildhage uploaded a video showing himself entering Munich stadium last Friday dressed in a fake costume and making it all the way to the field before being escorted out by a staff member.
"We can confirm that there was an incident with a fake mascot costume at the match in Munich ... between Germany and Scotland," UEFA said in a statement. "Three people have gained unauthorised access.
"UEFA has assessed the situation and initiated the necessary organisational measures. Three individuals have been banned from entering stadiums hosting UEFA Euro 2024 matches. Please understand that we cannot provide any further information due to the ongoing proceedings of the investigating authorities."
Wildhage said in his video that he purchased a fake bear costume from China and was able to make fake credentials based on the design from photos posted by Euro 2024 employees on social media. Though his credentials did not work when scanned, he was brought in by a security guard after showing a fake parking pass he had created.
According to the video, security detained him in a detention area and released after Germany's 5-1 win against Scotland.
The video, which was uploaded on Sunday, has already drawn more than a million views. In May, Wildhage uploaded a video where he made it to the field again, that time dressed as a player at a German training session. That video also drew more than a million views.
Wildhage's ability to make it onto the field revealed flaws with the tournament's security, and it seems likely that UEFA will reevaluate security measures moving forward to prevent such incidents.
Video: Albania Stuns Italy, Scores Fastest Goal in Euros History in 2024 Opener
Jun 15, 2024
Albania's midfielder #10 Nedim Bajrami celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group B football match between Italy and Albania at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund on June 15, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
Albania shocked Italy at Euro 2024 on Saturday with the quickest goal in the history of the European Soccer Championships.
Albanian midfielder Nedim Bajrami scored just 23 seconds into Saturday's group match, giving Albania a 1-0 lead:
Making the quick-strike goal even more surprising was the fact that Italy are the defending Euro champions.
Little was expected of Albania entering Euro 2024 in Germany since it marked only the second time that they had ever qualified for the European Championship.
The first occasion occurred in 2016, and Albania failed to get out of the group stage after winning once and losing twice.
Albania turned in a strong performance in Euro 2024 qualifying, though, winning four matches, drawing three and losing only one to win its group.
That momentum was carried into the start of Euro 2024, but Italy quickly righted the ship and took a 2-1 lead with goals by Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella in the 11th and 16th minutes, respectively.
Those two goals allowed Italy and their fans to breathe a little easier since a loss to Albania would have been one of the most unexpected Euro results in recent memory.
Italy are playing in their 11th European Championship, having already won it twice and finished as the runner-up twice as well.
In a tough group with Spain, Croatia and Albania, Italy are expected to advance to the knockout stage, and nearly every soccer pundit came into Euro 2024 with the expectation that Albania would go winless in group play.
UEFA Nixes Plan for 'Three Lions' Performance at England vs. Italy Euro 2020 Final
Jul 10, 2021
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A fan of England holds a flag with the words "It's coming home soon" wrote on prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Semi-final match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium on July 07, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Recine - Pool/Getty Images)
You might hear "it's coming home" from fans at the Euro 2020 final, but UEFA won't allow an official performance of the famous "Three Lions" song during Sunday's match between England and Italy.
"UEFA said it was too partisan and not fair to the Italians to have that," Frank Skinner, one of the song's writers and performers, told The Last Leg (via Reuters).
Comedians Skinner and David Baddiel originally released the hit song in 1996, with its chorus—featuring the refrain "It's coming home"—becoming a rallying chant for the English fans in recent years.
The song was selected as a "fan song" for the European Championships and has been played during warmups throughout the tournament. Skinner and Baddiel were willing to take part in a live performance Sunday, but the plan wasn't submitted until Friday, when it was too late for UEFA to make changes to the ceremony.
"No additional elements can be integrated at this stage due to the very tight countdown schedule and operational complexities ahead of the kick-off," the governing body said in a statement, per David Mercer of Sky Sports.
Skinner and Baddiel, along with the band The Lightning Seeds, will instead play the song at London's 229 music venue on Sunday.
The fans at Wembley Stadium likely won't need much to get excited as England seeks its first trophy in a major tournament since the 1966 FIFA World Cup. It is also the first time the team has reached the final of a major tournament since that victory, which also took place at Wembley Stadium.
Manager Gareth Southgate's squad has thrived during the knockout stages with wins over Germany, Ukraine and Denmark, outscoring opponents 8-1. Italy advanced to the final after beating Spain on penalty kicks in the semifinal.
Cristiano Ronaldo Sets Euros All-Time Scoring Record with Goal vs. Hungary
Jun 15, 2021
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JUNE 15: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group F match between Hungary and Portugal at Puskas Arena on June 15, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Bernadett Szabo - Pool/Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo became the all-time leading goalscorer in the European Championship finals with his brace Tuesday against Hungary.
Ronaldo passed Michel Platini when he gave Portugal a 2-0 lead from the penalty spot in the 87th minute. He added a second goal in the second minute of stoppage time to bring his overall total to 11.
The 36-year-old is closing in another historic achievement that could be wrapped up by the time Euro 2020 concludes.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored 2 goals in Portugal's 3-0 win vs Hungary.
His 11 career EURO goals are the most in tournament history and he's up to 106 career international goals. The men's world record is held by Iran’s Ali Daei with 109. pic.twitter.com/ff0CzTxIxa
For the most part, the key pieces remain the same from when the country lifted the Euro 2016 trophy. Fernando Santos is still the manager, and the squad includes multiple holdovers from the last tournament, including Ronaldo, Pepe, Rui Patricio, Joao Moutinho, Jose Fonte and William Carvalho.
But Ronaldo seemed to present a bit of a dilemma for Santos since the Juventus star wasn't necessarily at his best during the 2020-21 campaign, though he still led Serie A in scoring with 29 goals.
Dropping the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is a nonstarter because of his influence and profile. However, he may not be the best option up front, especially after Andre Silva bagged 28 goals in 32 Bundesliga appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt.
While Ronaldo's first goal didn't fully address that concern, his second required a combination of teamwork and individual skill.
