Cristiano Ronaldo admitted on Sunday at the World Cup that he is no longer the player he once was. But the Portugal captain hit back at critics, saying they have been “trying to kill me for the past 23 years.”
The 41-year-old looked confident, relaxed and emotional as he spoke before Portugal’s last-16 clash with Spain at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium. It will be his final World Cup.
The former Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid star did not say when he plans to end his international career. But after repeated questions about his future and the criticism he has faced, Ronaldo admitted, “I am not the player I used to be.”
Still, he insisted, “I am not doing too bad.” He pointed to his three goals in North America — two against Uzbekistan in a 5-0 group-stage win and a penalty in the 2-1 victory win over Croatia in the last 32.
Speaking to reporters, Ronaldo said: “It’s been like this since I was 18, it is not going to change.
“I always put body and soul trying to get our goals — playing or not playing, I will always have an important role to play.
“As I said before, (I will stop) when I choose, not when you choose, you always ask the same question.
“I don’t want draw attention to this because it is less important.”
Ronaldo also said this had been the World Cup he enjoyed the most because of the “emotions” on and off the pitch.
When asked again about his future, he replied: “You have been trying to kill me for the past 23 years, but you must have seen that is not worth it, it’s a waste of time, but you try and try and try and try and try.
“I am so used to this.”
The veteran, international football’s all-time leading scorer, received applause as he left the press conference.
He added: “I am not going to be more Cristiano Ronaldo or less because I win the World Cup.”
Reflecting on age, he said: “Age gives you maturity and experience to see how relative things can be.”
“I even say thanks for the attacks I feel after I turned 40… the criticism is how you grow, so thank you for doing this.”
Ronaldo also singled out one reporter, saying, “I know he does not like me,” before inviting him to ask a question.
“To speak to you, some of you, those who do not like us especially — I remember people’s faces very well,” he said with a grin.
He ended with: “Listen, I am going to be honest: whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano Ronaldo will leave with a clear conscience — not 100 percent but 1,000 percent because in life and football I gave everything.”
