The Guardian reported that Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football, bringing to an end a playing career for his country that the outlet describes as extraordinary. According to the Guardian, that achievement would have been even more complete had he walked away sooner instead of remaining involved for so long. The outlet argues that choosing when to stop is among the hardest decisions for anyone at the top of sport. Reaching that level requires immense self-belief, sustained sacrifice and resilience in a career that is inherently uncertain, with injuries, setbacks and failures along the way. That same confidence, the Guardian says, can make it difficult to accept that the end has arrived. The Guardian also notes a sense of loss at his departure, both because supporters will no longer watch him perform and because the close of a great career is a reminder that sporting lives, like all things, eventually pass. At the same time, the Guardian expressed disappointment about how the final phase unfolded, saying that across at least three tournaments there was a feeling that his continued presence limited what Portugal could achieve.
Source: The Guardian.
