Former Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley has publicly called on Cristiano Ronaldo to retire from international football, arguing that the 41-year-old's pursuit of a landmark 1,000 career goals has come at the expense of Portugal's team dynamics. Bardsley's comments come after Ronaldo's disappointing performance against Wales, where the Al-Nassr forward was substituted in the 67th minute following a frustrating display that highlighted his declining impact on the pitch.
Ronaldo's struggles in the Wales match were particularly evident in his finishing. The Portuguese icon squandered four opportunities in the first half before missing a clear-cut chance in the second period, when a ball struck his shin from just six yards out sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. With 979 career goals currently to his name, Ronaldo remains just 21 strikes away from his personal milestone of 1,000 goals, a target that Bardsley believes has become a distraction from what Portugal needs moving forward.
Speaking to Lyllo Casino, Bardsley expressed sympathy for Ronaldo's legacy while advocating for a change in approach. He suggested that the superstar should follow Lionel Messi's example by stepping aside from international duty, allowing younger players to become the focal point for Portugal's attack. "I think he should follow in Lionel Messi's footsteps there," Bardsley remarked, noting that the team would benefit from transitioning leadership to emerging talent. While acknowledging that Ronaldo will "continue this year, and maybe next year will be his last in Saudi," Bardsley questioned whether the captain can sustain his European-level performances, though he emphasized respect for Ronaldo's extraordinary accomplishments in football.
Ronaldo's next chance to add to his goal tally arrives on September 27th against Norway, with further matches against Denmark on October 1st and another meeting with Norway on October 4th. The debate over his international future intensifies as these fixtures approach, with the question of whether the greatest goal-scorer of his generation should prioritize club success over chasing a symbolic numerical milestone remaining at the heart of the discussion.