Ronaldo dismisses Portugal retirement speculation | Breaking News

Cristiano Ronaldo has dismissed speculation that he could retire from international football if Portugal fails to qualify for the 2022 Fifa World Cup to be held in Qatar later this year.

Portugal host North Macedonia on Tuesday in a must-win playoff match. Victory for Portugal will see Ronaldo make his fifth World Cup appearance.

“I’m already beginning to see the same question many times. I am the one who will decide my future, nobody else. If I feel like playing more, I’ll play. If not, I don’t play. I’m in charge, period,” said the Manchester United star.

The four-time Ballon d’or winner stressed that his main focus was on his country ahead of the playoff game which they will try by all means to win.

“There is always pressure. We are all prepared. We really wanted to play in this final. If North Macedonia are here, it is because they deserve to be.”

“No one is more important than anyone else. We really want to take Portugal to the World Cup” he added.

Portugal head into the encounter as favourites. However, North Macedonia cannot be written off following their last game as they stunned European champions Italy 1-0 in the stoppage time to book their place for the playoff final.

The 37-year-old will be aiming to continue his brilliant form with the national team after scoring 115 goals in 185 games.

Kick-off at Estadio do Dragao for this crunching encounter at 20:45 (CAT).

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