Ronaldo Reflects on Future and Match Challenges

Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the Portuguese national team, dedicated the thrilling 2-1 victory against Croatia to the spirit of his late teammate Diogo Jota, emphasizing that all players felt his moral presence in the locker room, and that the win was the best tribute they could offer.

After the match, Ronaldo stated: "It was an extraordinary day because of what happened to Jota. We all feel that he is with us, lighting our way, so there was no option but to win to honor him in the best possible way."

The Portugal captain spoke about the difficulty of the match, saying: "I expected the game to be this tough. I told the players that we need to know how to suffer because winning a tournament of this magnitude requires the ability to overcome difficult moments."

He added: "We controlled the first half, but the game became a bit chaotic in the second half, which is normal in football. After Croatia's goal, we felt some tension, but the penalty gave us a moral boost, and then things became easier for us."

Ronaldo also revealed his conversation with Croatia's captain Luka Modric after the match, saying: "Yes, I said goodbye to him after the match. He is a true legend in football, and we are close in age; I am only one year older than him. I have great respect for what he has done and continues to do in the world of football."

He concluded regarding his international retirement after the World Cup: "I haven't decided my future with the national team yet; I don't make rash decisions. I will decide after the tournament, not now."