Former West Ham United goalkeeper, Shaka Hislop has told Cristiano Ronaldo that he will not be the one to say when he retires from international football.
He, however, said that manager, Roberto Martinez would not be able to drop Ronaldo from the Portugal squad even though the legendary striker might not impact the game now because of status.
Despite his failure to score a goal at the Euro 2024 championship, Ronaldo is set to lead Portugal in their UEFA Nations League Group A clash against Croatia on Thursday.
Ronaldo, 39, recently confirmed that he is not retiring from the national team yet.
And sharing his thoughts on the former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus star’s decision, Shaka Hislop said on ESPN FC: “First of all, let me say I applaud Cristiano Ronaldo for staying on [with the national team].
“While all of us have certainly criticised his performances and questioned whether he should be a part of the Portugal squad, retirement is a very personal decision. He’s the only one who can take it.
“We can comment on it, but I have no problem with him saying that he wants to continue. I think the challenge comes, as we’ve been discussing earlier with the likes of Ronaldo and Messi, and where it’s so different from any other player probably in the last two or three generations, is just their standing. Their impact in the game.
“Now Ronaldo being who he is, being all that he represents to Portuguese football, if he’s not contributing at a high enough level, but still refuses to step away from the squad, I don’t think Roberto Martinez is in no position to say, ‘I’m not picking you’. That’s the issue here.
“I just don’t think he’s that manager, I don’t think he has the standing in football, let alone Portuguese football, to say, ‘Cristiano, thank you very much but I’m not picking you in the squad’.
“As a result, Ronaldo will be the one making that decision. In the interview, Ronaldo says he’ll be the first to know when it’s time to retire.
“But sometimes I feel it’s not the players who know it first [when to retire]. Players at Ronaldo’s level, they could be like, ‘if I just get this one thing right, I’ll be back to where I once was.”
Euro Nations League: I can’t tell you to stop – Shaka Hislop to Ronaldo on Portugal
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