Before Portugal kicked off their World Cup last 32 tie against Croatia, Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister gave a major update on his future.
The 41-year-old appears to be able to play as long as he deems fit, with Roberto Martinez starting him despite criticism.
Ronaldo’s international career appeared to be over at the 2022 World Cup when Fernando Santos dropped him and he bid a teary goodbye.
Yet Martinez has brought him back despite doubts across Portugal.
Now, though, it seems Ronaldo will take things out of the coach’s hands.
His sister, Kátia Aveiro, was stopped by Sport TV on the way to the game and gave fans an update on her brother’s future.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister announces retirement
“The most important thing is to enjoy these twenty-odd years we’ve shared,” she said.
“I’m incredibly proud. I was in Qatar and now I’m here. It’s a huge source of pride.
“I’m confident and we’ll smile in the end. Cristiano is confident, he’s less nervous than we are.”
Asked if we’ll see Ronaldo at Euro 2028, she continued: “According to the information I have, they can start saying goodbye.
“Not today, but I think this is the farewell. I’m referring to the national team. I say this from a reliable source: this is the ‘last dance,’ the World Cup.”
She finished with a defence of her brother, saying: “Intelligent people, those who love football, have to like Cristiano. They’re the ones who lose out.
“He’s been dominating for over 20 years. Look at where the Aveiro family is now and where we come from.
“Look at the suffering my mother went through… Do you think the criticism is going to affect our happiness? Never!”
Martinez justifies Ronaldo role
After numerous journalists turned on Martinez over his call to keep picking Ronaldo, the coach bit back.
“We are a team that wants the ball and wants to recover it quickly,” he explained.
“When we have the ball, we need a lot of personality, clarity on how to get into the opponent’s area.
“We need a player who opens up spaces, and Cristiano is the strongest at doing that, the numbers show it.
“He’s an icon. Those movements, opening up space… Ultimately, he’s the final piece in our strategy.”
Asked what impact Ronaldo is still making on the team, Martinez continued: “He’s obviously a very experienced player and that helps.
“A great example of how people should focus. The way he recovers, how he prepares… He’s a great example for us.
“He’s going to his sixth World Cup and that helps us a lot. But that doesn’t take away all the frustration we felt after the game against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“But perhaps it was the best starting point to prepare for the next game. I think tomorrow we’ll have a team prepared from the start so we can put on a great performance.”
He added: “He’s an example, he’s a captain. He reacts like a captain.
“He has a lot of experience. We can all use that. We’re talking about someone who has been defending and representing the National Team for 21 seasons.
“He has an incredible hunger to continue improving and helping the group. He’s an example in the locker room.”
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