Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first knockout-stage World Cup goal and then insisted he will decide his future only after the tournament, as Portugal edged past Croatia 2-1 in a chaotic second half in Toronto to set up a last-16 tie with Spain.
Ronaldo’s sister Katie Aveiro had suggested before kick-off that this could be the 41-year-old’s final international game. “From the information I have, they can say goodbye,” she told Portuguese broadcaster SportTV. “It’s not today that they’re saying goodbye, but it’s soon. I believe this is their farewell.”
“Cristiano Ronaldo scores first knockout goal as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1, but sister's bombshell raises doubts over his future.”
But after the match, awarded the Superior Player of the Match award, Ronaldo played down the speculation. “It is not important now,” he said. “I will have time to talk about that after winning or losing the tournament; I will talk to my family and then I will make the most appropriate decision.” He added: “I no longer make decisions in the heat of the moment; now everything is done calmly. All that matters to me at the moment is enjoying the present and helping the national team.”
On the pitch, Portugal took the lead when Ronaldo found the net, his first goal in the knockout stages of a World Cup. Croatia responded, but the decisive moment came late when Goncalo Ramos scored to restore Portugal’s advantage. Croatia thought they had equalised through Josko Gvardiol, only for a VAR review to rule the goal out, sparking wild Portuguese celebrations. Ronaldo, who had been substituted, watched from the sidelines before joining team-mates in paying tribute to Diogo Jota.
After the final whistle, Ronaldo embraced former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric, whose international career is likely to end with Croatia’s exit. “Yes, I said goodbye to him,” Ronaldo said. “He remains a legend in the world of football, and we are close in age. I have great respect for Modrić for what he represents in the world of football.”
Portugal now turn their attention to Spain in the last 16, with Ronaldo’s future unresolved. “I will talk to my family and then I will make the most appropriate decision,” he repeated — but for now, the focus remains on the present.