Ronaldo vows to silence critics ahead of Spain clash, praises Yamal

Cristiano Ronaldo approaches Portugal's World Cup knockout match against Spain with a defiant spirit, ready to silence his critics and control his own narrative.

"Regardless of what happens against Spain, I will have a clear conscience. I hope it's not my last game. I've played for the national team and clubs out of passion. Whatever happens, I'll be happy. I'm not doing badly in this World Cup; I've already scored three goals. Let's see if I score one more," the Portuguese star declared at a press conference.

Ronaldo, often positioned as a rival to Lionel Messi, particularly in a World Cup where Messi is currently the top scorer, directly challenged some journalists. "I hope tomorrow is not my last game, so you can kill me a little more," he stated, later adding, "I'll finish playing when I want to, not when you want me to."

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Siempre tendré un papel importante para mi seleccionado: No va a cambiar, jugando o no, yo siempre tendré un papel importante. Y terminaré cuando yo quiera.

He also reflected on his role within the team, even after losing his starting position at times during the tournament and being substituted in the previous match. "I will always have an important role, whether playing or not. And I'll finish when I want to," he asserted. When asked about his future, he responded with "We'll see" regarding whether this sixth World Cup would be his last, emphasizing the immediate importance of the Spain match.

Despite facing criticism for over two decades, Ronaldo remains unfazed. "I try, I try, I try to convince, but it's been 23 years and there's no way. The fans know what's up; the rest doesn't matter at all," he exclaimed. He also took a moment to acknowledge Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal, calling him a player with "a lot of future" and a "vibrant future."

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Veremos