“I don't have many years left in football” Cristiano Ronaldo Reacts After His Brace Against Ireland Ahead Of The Euro 2024.

• Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal emphatically beat the Republic of Ireland 3-0 in their final preparation game before the 17th edition of the UEFA Euro 2024.

• The 39-year-old extended his record with his 129th and 130th international goals in 207 appearances for his country.

• Ronaldo also becomes the 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 player in the history to score in 21 consecutive years for the national team.

• He has scored every single year with Portugal since 2004.

Having missed Portugal's matches against Finland and Croatia, Ronaldo returned to the starting lineup and repaid head coach Roberto Martinez's faith with two goals.

Portugal dominated possession and the chances from the outset in the game at the Estádio Municipal de Aveiro on Tuesday night.

Joao Felix opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a smart finish as Ireland were caught sleeping following a corner.

Ronaldo nearly doubled the lead, but his deflected free-kick hit the post.

He appealed for a penalty after going down under pressure and later directed a promising shot straight at Caoimhin Kelleher near the end of the first half.

Ronaldo, who played the full game, didn't have to wait too long to score in the second half as he doubled Portugal's lead in the 50th minute with a brilliant shot arrowing into the top corner having received a floated pass from Ruben Neves.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus marksman soon added another goal ten minutes later, finishing off a chance Diogo Jota's tenacity and vision created to make it 3-0.

Despite their dominance, Ronaldo narrowly missed completing his hat-trick, firing inches wide as Ireland, under interim coach John O'Shea, began to tire.

The results sees Portugal head off to Germany on a winning note, as the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would hope to continue his sensational form when the Selecao play their opening game at the Euros against the Czech Republic on Tuesday June 18, followed by games against Arda Guler's Turkey and debutants Georgia in Group F.

Euro 2024 kicks off on Friday, and Ronaldo is looking to win the trophy for a second time after lifting the trophy in 2016.

Ireland's season is over, but the search for a new permanent manager continues to drag on.

Ronaldo's brace against Ireland increased his international tally to an impressive 130 goals, 22 more than second-placed Ali Daei and 24 more than his archrival Lionel Messi.

The Al-Nassr striker, took to social media to share his emotions after leading Portugal to a convincing victory against Ireland ahead of the 2024 European Championship.

"Grande vitória, equipa! Rumo ao Europeu!" He wrote on X in Portuguese, which translates to English as "Big win, team! Heading to the European Championship!"

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Ireland 2024pic.twitter.com/865ku6aJwF

— Huz (@huzcw7l) June 11, 2024

 

The Portugal captain prepares to lead his country in their quest to win the 2024 Euros, which potentially could be the final major tournament of his career.

However, his country has been advised to drop him to the bench and only consider adding him to the line-up for the knockout stages.

Ronaldo further admitted that he does not have “many years left in football”, as he knows time is running out for him to win more trophies with his country.

“I don’t have many years left in football… so, I have to enjoy it”. He stated.

“I’m in love with football. Every game is special, imagine at the Euros with Portugal, you feel proud… it’s a dream, like when I was 20.”

With 130 international goals, Ronaldo is just 5 goals away from 𝟗𝟎𝟎 career goals, and he could achieve that milestone in the upcoming Euro Championship.