Katia Aveiro, sister of Cristiano Ronaldo, has indicated that the Portugal captain is likely to retire from international football following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Her comments suggest that the tournament in North America will mark the conclusion of his career with the national team.

Speaking to Portuguese media before Portugal‘s round-of-32 match against Croatia, which Portugal won 2-1, Aveiro stated that her brother’s international career is nearing its end. She referred to this period as a “last dance” for the player on the international stage.

When questioned about Ronaldo‘s potential participation in Euro 2028, Aveiro responded, “From the information that I have, you can start to say goodbye, because I believe this is it – so, enjoy it while you can.” She clarified that she was referring specifically to his involvement with the Portuguese national team.

Aveiro added, “I don’t think he’ll retire today, but it will be soon. I truly believe this is the farewell, so enjoy it a lot because… It will be difficult to find someone like him again.” She emphasized that her information came from a reliable source.

Ronaldo’s World Cup performance and legacy

Cristiano Ronaldo is participating in his sixth World Cup and is Portugal‘s most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer. His primary objective remains to secure a World Cup title, adding to Portugal‘s European Championship success in 2016.

Despite his ongoing contributions, Ronaldo‘s performances at the current tournament have drawn scrutiny from some observers. He has scored three goals so far, including two in a 5-0 victory against Uzbekistan and an equalizer against Croatia.

Portugal‘s coach, Roberto Martinez, included Ronaldo in the starting lineup against Croatia, seeking a strong performance to boost the team’s tournament campaign. Ronaldo has accumulated 146 goals in 232 caps for Portugal.

Aveiro addressed critics of her brother, stating, “For very intelligent people, those who understand football, those who like football, have to like Cristiano Ronaldo. Those who don’t like Cristiano Ronaldo, don’t like football – and they miss out.”

She highlighted Ronaldo‘s long-standing impact on the sport: “Ronaldo has been breaking records for 20-something years, do you think we’re not happy? We’ve lived through so much, we’ve achieved so much.”

Looking ahead to the last 16

Ronaldo‘s sister expressed confidence in her brother and the team. “I’m incredibly proud. I was in Qatar, and I’m here. It’s a tremendous pride. I’m confident and we’ll smile at the end. Ronaldo is great and confident, less nervous than us. I felt good energy and confidence. For us fans, it brings comfort. We can trust.”

In the match against Croatia, Ronaldo made his 26th World Cup finals appearance. This achievement places him ahead of Germany‘s Lothar Matthaus in terms of World Cup appearances, with only Lionel Messi having more at 29.

The victory over Croatia has set up a potential clash with Spain in the last 16 of the tournament.

While Portugal is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup, the prospect of Ronaldo playing at the age of 45 has not been officially ruled out, though Aveiro’s recent comments suggest his international career will conclude sooner.

Source: tntsports.co.uk

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Rice’s fitness concerns

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has indicated that Declan Rice is expected to be available for the upcoming FIFA World Cup last-16 match against Mexico. This comes despite Rice experiencing what Tuchel described as “terrible pain” due to an ongoing nerve issue in his back. The Arsenal midfielder was substituted late in England’s 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the last 32, a match where he played an unconventional role at right-back for a period.

Rice has been managing various fitness issues throughout the tournament, including a calf injury that led him to miss England’s final group-stage match against Panama. He has also contended with back and hamstring problems, which have necessitated the use of compression sleeves on his legs. Tuchel acknowledged Rice’s resilience, noting that when the player reports significant pain, it indicates a serious issue.

The 27-year-old has played a substantial number of minutes this season, making him one of the most active players in the World Cup. Tuchel confirmed that Rice is capable of playing through the discomfort, stating, “He can, yeah,” when asked if Rice could absorb the pain from game to game. Rice himself admitted that his stint at right-back during the DR Congo game was challenging, describing it as “probably the hardest 12 minutes of the game.”

Versatility and team impact

Rice’s versatility was highlighted during the match against DR Congo when he was moved to right-back. This tactical adjustment occurred after Brian Cipenga scored an early goal for Congo, putting England behind. Tuchel’s decision to shift Rice to accommodate an additional forward, Eberechi Eze, proved effective. Rice, who joined Arsenal for a reported £100 million in 2023, has played in the right-back position a few times this season, though he views it as a temporary measure.

Despite his willingness to play wherever needed for the team, Rice expressed a preference not to continue in the right-back role, especially as the calibre of opposing wingers is expected to increase in later stages of the tournament. His ability to adapt, however, remains a crucial asset for England, particularly given the team’s defensive injury concerns.

The team’s defensive situation is showing signs of improvement, with Reece James and Jarell Quansah nearing a return. James had started England’s first two matches before a hamstring issue sidelined him, while Quansah, who deputised at right-back against Panama, was forced off due to an ankle injury. Tuchel noted that both players are making good progress in their recovery, with Quansah slightly ahead of James.

Looking ahead to Mexico

The focus for England is now on the last-16 clash against Mexico, which will take place at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Tuchel’s primary concern is ensuring Rice is available for this crucial fixture. The coach relayed Rice’s comment, “I can do it for the team, but I am in terrible pain,” after the DR Congo match, indicating the player’s dedication.

Rice reassured the coaching staff that his condition is not a new injury but rather nerve pain that he expects to recover from. His availability for the match against Mexico is a significant boost for England as they prepare to face a strong opponent in a challenging environment.

The return of James and Quansah could also provide further defensive options for England in potential future matches, with Tuchel stating they are “getting closer and closer” to being available. The team will aim to continue their World Cup campaign with Rice playing a key role in midfield.

Source: tntsports.co.uk

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