Ronaldo and Neymar to Leave International Football

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the current World Cup will be his last, saying he will leave international football with a clear conscience whenever his final match comes.

Before Portugal’s round of 16 match against Spain, Ronaldo said he had played not out of financial need, but out of passion for the game and for representing his country. “I have given all I could to football”, he said.

Portugal reached the last 16 with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia, after manager Roberto Martinez substituted Ronaldo in the 81st minute and Goncalo Ramos scored the winner in stoppage time.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente nevertheless warned that Ronaldo remained capable of deciding a match in a single moment.

Neymar has also said this will be his final World Cup. After Brazil’s 2-1 defeat by Norway, he broke down in tears and said he had done everything in his power. Brazil’s only goal came from a stoppage-time penalty.

His farewell came at MetLife Stadium, where he made his national team debut in 2010 and scored immediately. Neymar ends his international career as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 80 goals, ahead of Pelé.

(Reuters, mja)