The international futures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe remain in the air after Portugal’s emotional exit from Euro 2024, according to manager Roberto Martinez.
Following their quarter-final defeat by France, the legendary duo’s continuation in national colors is under speculation, but no definitive decisions have been made.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, participated actively throughout the tournament, featuring in every minute of Portugal’s crucial matches against Slovenia and France.
Pepe, aged 41, marked his name in the records as the oldest player in the history of the European Championship.
The post-match scene was poignant, with Ronaldo comforting an emotional Pepe, symbolizing possibly the end of an era for both.
“Pepe is a role model in Portuguese football. What he did tonight and in the tournament will stay with us for the next generations,” Martinez reflected, highlighting the significance of their contributions.
However, the tournament was challenging for Ronaldo, who did not score in any of his appearances, a first in his illustrious 11-tournament international career.
This has led to increased scrutiny over his place in the team, despite having the highest number of shots in the tournament.
Former Portugal defender Jose Fonte and BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton expressed concerns about the strategic use of Ronaldo, suggesting it might be time for the younger generation to step up.
“They’ve achieved so much, they’ve done so much for Portugal, sometimes you just have to give your place to the young boys coming up and let them show their talent,” Fonte mentioned.
As Portugal reels from their defeat, whether this tournament marks the end for two of football’s most iconic figures looms large, with their potential retirement from international football remaining undecided.
