Riise Urges Ronaldo Retirement from Portugal Ahead of Euro 2028 Debate

The future of Cristiano RonaldoPlayer·Cristiano Ronaldo with the Portugal national team has become a central topic of discussion following pointed remarks from former LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool and FulhamTeam·Fulham defender John Arne RiisePlayer·John Arne Riise. Riise has asserted that Ronaldo is "not good enough" to represent Portugal at Euro 2028Competition·Euro 2028 and believes the veteran forward "should call it a day internationally" after what he described as a "sad" 2026 World Cup campaign for the Seleção.

Portugal's journey in the 2026 FIFA World CupCompetition·2026 FIFA World Cup concluded in the Round of 16, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain on July 6, 2026. At 41 years old during the tournament, Ronaldo's role and impact drew scrutiny. Riise specifically criticized the tactical approach under former Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, suggesting that the team's strategy was compromised by prioritizing an individual over collective flexibility.

Despite the critique, Ronaldo's recent goal-scoring record remains notable. In the 2025-26 club season, he led Al Nassr to the Saudi Pro League title, contributing 30 goals and 4 assists across 37 appearances. For the national team during the same period, he found the net 5 times in 5 UEFA World Cup qualifiersCompetition·UEFA World Cup qualifiers and added 3 goals during the 2026 World Cup itself. However, Riise remains "adamant that the former Real MadridTeam·Real Madrid and Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United forward no longer possesses the attributes required for the elite level" of international football.

Following Portugal's World Cup exit, Cristiano RonaldoPlayer·Cristiano Ronaldo addressed his future, stating, "While this is indeed my last World Cup, I will not make hasty decisions about my future driven by emotions. Instead, I will spend time with my family and deeply consider my path forward." He also reiterated his profound affection for the European Championship, equating his Euro 2016Competition·Euro 2016 triumph with a World Cup victory. In November 2025, Ronaldo had been reluctant to speculate on his potential involvement at Euro 2028Competition·Euro 2028, preferring to focus on immediate commitments.

The managerial landscape for Portugal has also shifted, with Roberto Martinez stepping down after the 2026 World Cup. Jorge JesusCoach·Jorge Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo at Al-Nassr and guided the club to the Saudi Pro League title in the 2025-26 season, has since been appointed as Portugal's new head coach. Jesus has indicated a willingness to continue selecting Ronaldo if he remains available and in suitable condition, emphasizing that Ronaldo "will never be a problem" for the national team.

Despite Riise's strong opinion, speculation persists regarding Ronaldo's participation in Euro 2028Competition·Euro 2028. Reports from July 2026 suggest that Ronaldo has offered a "major hint" about playing in the tournament, and bookmakers are currently offering odds on his potential involvement, underscoring the ongoing public and media interest in the legacy of one of football's most enduring figures.