ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo's engaging and sometimes playful interaction during a rare World Cup news conference sparked a lively exchange between the Portuguese football superstar and a reporter from Argentina. This occurred on the eve of Portugal’s highly anticipated round of 16 clash against their neighboring rivals, Spain.
Ronaldo, who is participating in what he has declared will be his final World Cup, took this opportunity to reminisce and share emotional insights. “What remains with me is the people — the people who love you. I share hotels with the staff, Latino people, and those are spectacular memories,” he conveyed through an interpreter. He reflected on a recent flight experience, highlighting an encounter with an Argentine flight attendant, which drew laughs as he noted how he could tell she was Argentine based on her expression toward him.
Further expressing his sentiments, Ronaldo stated, “I want to enjoy what will be my last World Cup to the fullest. Hopefully, tomorrow won’t be my last match. That way, you can keep bashing me some more.” His comments echoed sentiments expressed in a television interview from late last year, reinforcing the belief that this tournament marks the end of an illustrious chapter in his career.
The 41-year-old star received numerous inquiries during a 25-minute session, as many anticipated that this could be his final World Cup appearance. When jokingly pushed by reporters regarding the end of his career, Ronaldo often transformed these light-hearted remarks into philosophical musings. “There’s nothing missing,” he remarked. “God was so generous toward me. He gave me everything I never expected to win, especially at the national team. And personally, the same thing. So it’s enjoying every moment.” He noted that while he and others aspire for winning the World Cup, only one team will ultimately achieve that glory.
Ronaldo’s World Cup legacy continues as he aims to bring Portugal to the quarterfinals for the second successive tournament. His journey in World Cups has seen a remarkable highlight when he became the oldest player to score a hat trick at the age of 33 in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Spain during the group stage of the 2018 tournament, despite both teams failing to advance that year.
In the current tournament, Portugal is striving for another successful run, with Ronaldo playing a pivotal role. He scored the equalizing goal in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Croatia in the round of 32, contributing to his tally of three goals in this World Cup, part of a total of 11 goals he has scored throughout his World Cup appearances. His experience alongside 40-year-old Luka Modric of Croatia, another veteran of the tournament, highlights the enduring talent and skills that persists among aging football stars.
“What I have done throughout my career is to adjust to the nuances of age, knowing that I’m not the player I used to be,” Ronaldo acknowledged. “But one thing I can understand very clearly is nothing has changed because I can still score a goal. I hope I do that tomorrow, and if I don’t, I hope others on the team do.”
