Portugal could have entered the Roberto Martinez era with a huge void to fill as Cristiano Ronaldo contemplated retirement.
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he considered international retirement following the World Cup in Qatar.
Portugal crashed out in the quarter-finals after losing to Morocco and Ronaldo lost his place in the starting line-up for the knockout stages.
Fernando Santos dropped Ronaldo to the bench in the last 16 tie against Switzerland, his substitute Goncalo Guedes scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 6-1 victory.
Ronaldo would go on to come on as a substitute in the clash with Morocco, which almost spelled the end of his Portuguese career.
“I’m not going to lie. We have to weigh everything in our lives,” Ronaldo said ahead of a Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein.
“We thought, thought, me and my family, but then we came to the conclusion that despite the difficulties, we cannot throw in the towel. I was able to see situations from different angles. I learned a lot from it.”
“I’m happy to come back. Roberto Martinez showed that he counted on me. I always wanted to play. As you know, he talked to everyone and also to me. And I was able to realize that I have something to give to the national team.
“I feel it, I want it and my wish is to take Portugal to the highest level. I will always contribute when they need me.”
