Soccer
Ronaldo determined to make last dance continue until the end of the World Cup party
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After England and Norway booked their places in the World Cup quarter-finals, tonight sees the turn of either Portugal or Spain to join them in the tournament's last eight.
It's one of the standout ties of the round and although Spain go into it as slight favourites, there's plenty to like about Portugal and what they could do to stop the Spanish.
Then, of course, there's the GOAT in the room. Portugal still have a trump card and although he isn't the beast he used to be, Cristiano Ronaldo is quite done just yet.
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At 41, we are in the winter of Cristiano Ronaldo's career, and he is no longer the all-action, unplayable machine that he was in his pomp. Which has led to concerns that he's holding his national team back, that the attack is less mobile with him at the centre of it and it's time for him to step aside.
And how has he answered those concerns? In typically Ronaldo fashion. Two goals in the win over Uzbekistan and his first-ever World Cup knockout goal in the victory against Croatia.
Yet there is still talk that he shouldn't start against Spain in Dallas. Having trudged off the pitch to see his replacement Goncalo Ramos net the winner, there are some who believe it's time for him to step aside permanently.
However, with this being his final World Cup, Ronaldo was typically self-aware when speaking ahead of what could be his final game on the global stage.
"I'm not doing too bad," he said.
"You have been trying to kill me for the past 23 years, but you must have seen that is not worth it, it's a waste of time, but you try and try and try and try and try.
"As I said before, [I will stop] when I choose, not when you choose. You always ask the same question.
"This will be my last World Cup, but let's hope tomorrow isn't my last game."
Waiting a World Cup moment
Of all the things that Ronaldo has achieved in his career, perhaps the only thing missing is a moment at a World Cup tournament.
There have been some flashes that match his illustrious career. Helping Portugal reach the semi-final in 2006, his hat-trick against Spain in 2018 and even this summer, when he became the first player to score in six World Cups.
However, there hasn't been a defining moment to match everything else that his golden touch has been involved in.
His knockout record has been well established, and it's not just the lack of goals. There have been no assists either, and there hasn't been a match that truly stands out for one of the games greats.
| Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup knockout stage record | Source: Opta |
| Games | 9 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Shots | 31 |
| Shot coversion rate | 3% |
| Expected goals | 1.9 |
| Non-penalty goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
Now he's on the cusp of his last ever outing if he and his national side can't get the better of a Spain side, who have upped the gears the further they've got in this tournament.
But, Ronaldo believes that whatever happens, his career won't be hurt by his World Cup legacy.
Adding, "I am not going to be more Cristiano Ronaldo or less because I win the World Cup.
"I even say thanks for the attacks I feel after I turned 40... the criticism is how you grow, so thank you for doing this.
"Whatever happens tomorrow, Cristiano Ronaldo will leave with a clear conscience - not 100% but 1,000% because in life and football I gave everything."
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Earned the right
Those in support of Ronaldo's inclusion will say he's earned the right to go out on his terms and is still proving a difference maker, even if it's not in the same way as it's been previously.
We're looking at a player who has netted 146 times for his country and notched three times at this summer's finals - more than any of his teammates.
Those shots have come from 15 attempts, and he's yet to create a chance, but when the moments have come, he's taken them, and that's what Portugal will hope he can do in his last innings in a national team shirt.
We may not be seeing peak Ronaldo, but we are seeing the season finale, and if there's one career that you can expect to go out in a bang, it's CR7. So Spain better beware.
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