Euro Nations League: I can't tell you to stop—Shaka Hislop to Ronaldo on Portugal

Shaka Hislop, former West Ham United goalkeeper, has assured Cristiano Ronaldo that he will not be the one to announce his retirement from international football.

He did, however, say that manager Roberto Martinez would not be able to drop Ronaldo from the Portugal squad, despite the fact that the renowned striker may not have an impact on the game right now due to his condition.

Despite failing to score a goal at the Euro 2024 championship, Ronaldo is expected to lead Portugal in their UEFA Nations League Group A match against Croatia on Thursday.

Ronaldo, 39, has declared that he will not retire from the national team just yet.

Shaka Hislop expressed his opinions on the former Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Juventus star's choice on ESPN FC, saying: "First and foremost, I commend Cristiano Ronaldo for sticking [with the national team].

"While we have all criticized his performances and questioned whether he should be a member of the Portugal squad, retiring is a deeply personal decision. He's the only one who can handle it.

"We may discuss it, but I have no problem with his stating that he wants to continue. I believe the challenge comes, as we have discussed earlier with the likes of Ronaldo and Messi, and where it is so different from any other player probably in the last two or three generations, is just their standing. Their impact in the game.

"Now, given who Ronaldo is and what he represents in Portuguese football, if he isn't contributing at a high enough level but refuses to leave the squad, I don't think Roberto Martinez is in no position to say, 'I'm not picking you.'" That is the issue here.

"I just don't think he's that manager; I don't think he has the authority 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 the decision. In the interview, Ronaldo stated that he will be the first to realize when it is time to retire.

"But sometimes I believe it's not the athletes 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.”