Confirmed by his sister: Cristiano Ronaldo would leave the national team after the World Cup

The Cristiano Ronaldo era in the Portugal national team seems to have an expiration date: this 2026 World Cup. After 232 matches with the Portuguese senior side (counting the one he will play today against Croatia), the Funchal native would leave the national team and would not play in Euro 2028 in two years. It was confirmed, ahead of the match, by his sister Kátia Aveiro.

'"According to the information I have, you can say goodbye. Not today, but I believe this is the farewell. I mean the national team. According to a reliable source, it is the "last dance," the World Cup," he said on "Sport TV," before leaving for the stadium in Toronto, where today Portugal will seek a place in the round of 16 (where Spain is already waiting) against Modric's Croatia.'

'According to a reliable source, it's the "last dance," the World Cup'

Kátia Aveiro

Cristiano would leave the National Team as the player with the most appearances (232 to date) and the all-time top scorer (145)... and after winning three titles: two Nations League titles and the 2016 European Championship. The World Cup, which continues to elude Portugal, remains his great objective for this last tournament he will play wearing the jersey of the Iberian country.

Kátia, however, went even further in her statements: "For intelligent people, those who like football, they have to like Ronaldo. They are the ones who end up losing out. He has been dominating for more than 20 years. Look where we are, the Aveiro family... and where we come from. Look at the suffering my mother went through... Do you think criticism is going to affect our happiness?. Never!"

For intelligent people, those who like football, they have to like Ronaldo

Kátia Aveiro

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