Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that he will retire from international football on his own terms, addressing ongoing inquiries about his career's conclusion prior to Portugal's FIFA World Cup last-16 match against Spain, according to Vanguard Sports.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the former Sweden striker, criticized Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo during the ongoing FIFA World Cup, stating that Ronaldo's ego is negatively impacting the team. Ibrahimovic suggested that Ronaldo's presence in the starting lineup does not exemplify legendary leadership and implied that the 41-year-old has lost his effectiveness on the field.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon has expressed concern over the threat posed by Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, despite his age of 41. As the two teams prepare for their Round of 16 match on July 6 at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Simon emphasized the need to keep Ronaldo contained within the penalty area, highlighting his continued danger in the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of the Portugal national team, has officially announced that this will be his last World Cup. He made this statement during a press conference on Sunday, prior to their last-16 match against Spain. His sister, Katia, had previously suggested that he would retire from international football following the tournament.

Portugal coach Martinez stated that Cristiano Ronaldo's rivalry with players like Lionel Messi motivates both athletes to maintain their peak performance, even as Ronaldo arrives late to the World Cup festivities. This ongoing competition is seen as a key factor in their enduring excellence in football.

Lionel Messi commented on Argentina's challenging victory against Cape Verde in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, acknowledging that the opposing team made them work hard for their win. He humorously remarked that they 'kick the crap out of me' during the match, highlighting the physical nature of the game.