Cristiano Ronaldo: 'My Future Doesn't Matter Right Now'

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo played down talk about his own future after leading his side to a 2-1 win over Croatia in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. “Today we had to learn what suffering means. You can't win a tournament of this magnitude without it. We controlled the first half, but the second was chaotic. They scored, we got nervous – then the penalty gave us an emotional breakthrough. After that it was easier, though still tough. This is the World Cup, and we have to keep going,” Ronaldo said. The 39-year-old also revealed a brief exchange with Luka Modric after the final whistle. “I've played with Luka for many years, and it’s great to see him still performing at this level. I told him: 'Congratulations, Luka, good luck with the rest of your career.'” When asked about his international or club future, Ronaldo was dismissive. “My future isn't important right now. Whether we win or lose, I'll have time to sit with my family and make the best decision. I don't rush anymore – everything is calm. For now, we enjoy the moment,” he told A Bola.