Cristiano Ronaldo remains a force — but what lies ahead?
ONE STEP BEYOND
When Portugal crashed out of Euro 2024 on penalties last summer, most assumed it would be the final chapter of Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career. At 39, with 130 goals and appearances at five major tournaments, his legacy in green and red seemed complete. But in Germany, he looked a step behind — starting all five matches, finishing four, and firing 29 shots without a single goal. Still, despite appearing more like a self-absorbed relic than a team leader, he remained undroppable in the eyes of manager Roberto Martínez. As Portugal ground through a goalless quarter-final against France, attacking talents like Diogo Jota, Gonçalo Ramos, and Pedro Neto were left stewing on the bench.
Following the exit, pundits and fans alike called for a reset: Martínez to move on, and Ronaldo to bow out gracefully. The consensus was clear — time for the next generation to lead, without the suffocating shadow of Ronaldo’s titanic ego.
But it seems no one told the decision-makers. On Wednesday night, a Portugal side still managed by Martínez — and still featuring Ronaldo — stunned hosts Germany in the Nations League semi-final. Naturally, it was Ronaldo who scored the winner, turning in a Nuno Mendes cross to complete a comeback and secure a place in Sunday’s final against France or Spain. “Onwards, Portugal!” he posted after the match, a rallying cry gleefully echoed by fans treating his tap-in as divine vindication.
The uncomfortable reality? Ronaldo looks set on playing at the 2026 World Cup — as a 41-year-old — and with Martínez apparently unwilling to challenge his status, there’s little reason to doubt he’ll get his wish, even if it means dragging down the team’s collective prospects.
As for his club future, things are murkier. After another trophyless campaign with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo took to social media with a not-so-cryptic message: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.” Headlines called it mysterious; it was anything but. With FIFA president Gianni Infantino conveniently extending a transfer window that might allow Ronaldo to gatecrash the Club World Cup — despite his team failing to qualify — the path seems laid for one final vanity move.
He may have misfired at Euro 2024, but Cristiano Ronaldo remains very much in circulation. The ego is intact. The ambition, undimmed. And the market? Still foolish — and star-struck — enough to bite.
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