Cristiano Ronaldo's sister makes retirement claim before Portugal vs Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo will retire from Portugal after the World Cup, according to his sister (AP Photo)

Cristiano Ronaldo

will retire from the

Portugal

national team after the

World Cup

, according to his sister Katia Aveiro.

The 41-year-old is playing in his sixth World Cup for Portugal and is the nation’s most capped player and record goalscorer with 231 appearances and 145 goals.

Ronaldo has faced criticism at this World Cup over his role in the Portuguese side and described the reaction to his performance in the 1-1 draw with DR Congo as ‘very harsh’.

The former

Manchester United

and

Real Madrid

forward scored twice in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan and now starts for Roberto Martinez’s side in their round-of-32 match against Croatia on Thursday.

England's hero (Picture:Getty)

But speaking just hours before the game, Aveiro told the Portuguese media that it could be Ronaldo’s last in a Portugal shirt.

‘We have to enjoy these moments. It’s the last dance for two players, both for Croatia and for Portugal. The most important thing is to enjoy these 20-odd years that we’ve lived, won, and come so far,’ Aveiro said.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored two goals at the World Cup this summer (Reuters)

‘I’m incredibly proud. I was in

Qatar

, I’m here. It’s a tremendous pride. I’m confident and we’ll smile at the end. Ronaldo is great and confident, less nervous than us. I felt a good energy and confidence. For us fans, it brings comfort. We can trust.’

When asked about the possibility of seeing Ronaldo with Portugal at

Euro 2028

, Aveiro replied: ‘From the information I have, they can say goodbye. Enjoy it while it lasts. It’s not today that they’re saying goodbye, but it’s soon. I believe this is their farewell.

‘Enjoy it a lot. It will be difficult to find someone like him.

Katia Aveiro was speaking before Portugal’s World Cup round-of-32 match against Croatia

‘I’m talking about the national team. The information I have, from a reliable source, I believe this is his last dance.

‘For intelligent people, those who like football have to like Ronaldo. Those who don’t like Ronaldo don’t like football. They’re the ones who lose out.

‘He’s been tearing it up for over 20 years. Do they think we’re not happy? Look where we are, the Aveiro family, and where we came from. We’ve achieved so much, considering where we came from… after the struggle we went through, what my brother went through, the achievements my mother had… do they think the criticism will interfere with our happiness? Never.’

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