World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo quiet on international retirement talk

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 01 July 2018

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo refuses to confirm whether he will walk away from international duty with Portugal following their World Cup exit.

Cristiano Ronaldo has said that it is not the right time to discuss his international future following Portugal's exit from the World Cup.

The European champions were edged out 2-1 by an Edinson Cavani-inspired Uruguay in Saturday evening's last-16 tie at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi.

Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo will be 37 by the time of the next World Cup in Qatar four years from now, leaving many to believe that he has competed in the showpiece competition for a final time.

Asked if he is planning on walking away following the defeat to Uruguay, however, Ronaldo told reporters: "Now is not the time to talk about the future of players and coaches. We have a fantastic group, young and with a lot of ambition and for that reason I think the team will remain strong."

Portugal boss Fernando Santos is hopeful that Ronaldo will stay on for at least one more campaign, with the inaugural UEFA Nations League scheduled to begin in the autumn.