Cristiano Ronaldo still leads Portugal (Image: Kamil Krzaczynski, AFP, via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro has suggested she will end her international career tonight if Portugal misses the World Cup. If coach Roberto Martinez’s side lose to Croatia in the round of 32, he may end up retiring soon if his sister Katia’s words are taken as good news.
Ronaldo, 41, was named in Portugal’s starting XI for the last-32 clash in Toronto. He is playing in his sixth World Cup and is the only soccer player in history to have scored at least one goal in six tournaments. If things don’t go well for Martinez’s team, it could be his incandescent song on soccer’s grandest stage.
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Speaking to Portuguese broadcaster SportTV about an hour before kick-off, Katia revealed: “According to the information I have, it looks like they can say goodbye. Let’s enjoy it while it lasts. It’s not today that they say goodbye, but it will be soon. I believe this is their farewell. I hope they enjoy it very much. It will be difficult to find a player like him.”
“I’m talking about the national team. According to the information I get from reliable sources, I think this is his last dance. For intelligent people, people who like football must like Ronaldo.
“People who don’t like Ronaldo don’t like football. It’s them who lose out. He’s been tearing football apart for over 20 years. Do they think we’re not happy? Look, where we are, the Aveiro family, and where we came from.
“When you think about where we come from, we’ve accomplished so much…Given the struggles we’ve gone through, what my brother went through, what my mother accomplished…do they think criticism will get in the way of our happiness? Absolutely not.”
Ronaldo is the only player to score in six different World Cups (Image: Patrick Smith – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Katia began to realize that this could be Luka Modric’s last appearance for Croatia, having played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid for six trophy-winning seasons. “We have to enjoy this moment. For Croatia and Portugal, this is the last dance for both players,” she continued.
“The most important thing is to live, win and enjoy the last 20-odd years that have brought us here. I’m incredibly proud. I was in Qatar and I’m here. It’s a huge pride. I’m confident and I’ll finish with a smile on my face. Ronaldo is great and confident and less nervous than we are. I felt good energy and confidence. For us fans, it’s comforting. We can trust.”
Ronaldo will be captain of the Portugal national team as they aim to advance to the last 16 against Spain. Despite scoring two goals in three games at this World Cup, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been criticized for his performances. Both attacks came as Portugal defeated Uzbekistan 5-0.
Still, manager Roberto Martinez maintains faith in Ronaldo as he looks to break Canada’s unique curse. Remarkably, the former Manchester United icon has never scored a goal or provided an assist in a World Cup final. Portugal finished second in Group K behind Colombia, who drew 0-0 in their last match.
