Portugal coach Roberto Martinez refused to say whether Cristiano Ronaldo had played his last international game in last night’s penalty shoot-out defeat to France at Euro 2024.
Now 39, Ronaldo has looked a shadow of his former self in Germany, failing to score for the first time at a major tournament – outside of shootouts – and must now weigh up if he wants to continue with attention turning to qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The Al-Nassr striker has come in for criticism for his performances at the tournament, as has Martinez for what is perceived to be him indulging the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man.
Asked if it was the last time Ronaldo would play for his country after 212 caps and 130 goals, Martinez said: “It’s too soon and raw after the match to talk about that and there have been no individual decisions made.”
Orgulho no nosso percurso. Voltaremos mais fortes. #PartilhaAPaixão pic.twitter.com/S2jIkVwys3
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 5, 2024
Ronaldo and Pepe shared a warm embrace after the game with the 41-year-old defender visibly emotional.
Asked what the pair had discussed, Pepe told Canal 11: “I won’t say it publicly. But we feel it a lot. Contrary to what many people think, we feel it a lot.
“We feel the frustration of not winning a game, of being eliminated in such a big competition as the European Championship, knowing that we had a lot of quality to go through. That’s the pain we feel.”
Pepe is likely to stand down from international duty, although he would not confirm it last night, adding: “I will have the opportunity to speak in the future. I don’t want to speak about it [now] because tomorrow people might be speaking about my future instead of talking about this process.”
