Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has said he is not the same player anymore but will still have many things to contribute as he will be appearing for the last time in a World Cup.
The 41-year-old commented ahead of Portugal’s last-16 matchup against Spain in Dallas on Sunday, rebutting critics who have been giving him his fair share of criticism during his career.
“You have been trying to kill me for the last 23 years, but it’s a waste of time, I’ve adapted to the criticism, now it’s like fuel to my fire,” Ronaldo said.
Even though he has been transformed by his age, Ronaldo reiterated that he still can make a difference.
Read more: Ronaldo enjoys silencing critics after World Cup record
“I’m not the player I used to be, but I’m not too bad either,” he added, referring to his three goals at the tournament, two of which came against Uzbekistan and the other during their match against Croatia on the occasion of the penalty.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward did not reveal when he will completely call it quits from international football, saying that when the time is right he will decide.
“I will stop when I choose, not when you choose,” he told the reporters.
Ronaldo told the BBC the 2026 World Cup is his favourite, due to the feelings it has given him on and off the field.
He expressed his gratitude to those who had criticised him adding fuel to his fire resulting in him becoming better, and stated that criticism had made him better, particularly after he turned 40.
Ronaldo admitted that it will be challenging for Portugal to play a match against Spain, but claimed his team must play with courage, belief and determination to make it to the quarter-finals.
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