IPL-WEB-cd

Picture Credit: Getty Images

Portugal and Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo recently opened up about his possible retirement from football. He also talked about Portugal’s next game in the World Cup qualifiers against North Macedonia. A Seleção defeated Turkey 3-1 to move another step closer to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

While speaking to the press, Ronaldo was quoted saying, "I'm starting to be asked the same question. The one who is going to decide my future is me, nobody else. If I feel like playing more, I'll play, if I don't feel like playing more, I won't. I'll decide, period."

"I still have a passion for the game. It's to entertain myself and I have played football since I was five or six years old. I feel joy when I train and my motivation is still there. I'm going to be 37 soon but I feel motivated. People ask me how many years I'm going to continue playing - I hope to play for four or five more years. Physically if you treat your body well, it will give you something back. I love the game and I want to continue."

While discussing the World Cup, he revealed the team is ready for their next game and are favourites to defeat North Macedonia. He opined, "There is no World Cup without Portugal, where there are no individuals, we are a group. Tomorrow is a final and we are ready. Favourites?... I always consider myself favourite, whether [playing] at home or away.

"We already know that if we win, we will go to the World Cup, if we lose, we are out. We have a responsibility to be positive and win the game. The pressure always exists. I feel good, as usual. Another day that I will be ready."

"They have surprised [opponents] in many games but I believe that tomorrow they will not surprise us," Ronaldo said of North Macedonia. "Portugal will be better and we will go to the World Cup. For us, it's also a game of [our] lives."

Portugal coach Fernando Santos agreed with Ronaldo’s opinions regarding their next game.  "We know [North] Macedonia well and we have to respond accordingly," Santos said. "This may be the game of their lives, but for us, it is also, and this is how we have to respond, with dedication, determination, intensity, a spirit of sacrifice and will. We have to win, win, win. We count on the unconditional support of the 11 million Portuguese people."