Cristiano Ronaldo has delivered a strong response to his critics, saying years of attacks have failed to break him as he continues playing for Portugal at the age of 41.
Ronaldo Sends Defiant Message to Critics After Years of Attacks
Cristiano Ronaldo has delivered another powerful response to his critics, saying people have tried to “kill” him for years but have never managed to bring him down.
The Portugal captain made the comments while speaking about the huge amount of criticism he has faced throughout his career.
At 41, Ronaldo remains one of the biggest names in world football and continues to attract attention for almost everything he does.
But the Al Nassr star says he has learned not to let negative opinions control him.
Ronaldo hits back at his critics
During the Portugal Football Summit, Ronaldo was asked about the criticism he regularly receives from television shows, journalists and football commentators.
His response was typically confident.
Ronaldo said some people have spent years trying to attack him.
He then used a dramatic expression to explain how difficult it has been to bring him down.
“They’ve tried to kill me.”
Ronaldo was speaking metaphorically about criticism and media attacks rather than making a literal accusation.
But his message was clear.
After more than two decades at the highest level, he believes his critics have repeatedly tried and failed to damage him.
Ronaldo jokes about surviving everything
Ronaldo continued the answer with a joke that caused laughter in the room.
He suggested that even stronger attacks would not be enough to stop him.
The Portuguese star joked about even being able to avoid a bullet.
The humour did not hide the main message behind his words.
Ronaldo believes criticism has followed him throughout his career, but he is still standing.
Not everyone is against him
Ronaldo was also careful to make an important point.
He did not claim that all journalists or Portuguese supporters are against him.
Instead, he said there are only certain people who regularly attack him.
Ronaldo believes the majority of Portuguese fans continue to show him enormous love and respect.
That support remains important to him as he enters the final stage of his career.
Criticism has followed Ronaldo for years
This is not the first time Ronaldo has spoken about feeling targeted.
During the 2026 World Cup, he also said critics had been trying to “kill” him for more than 20 years.
His latest comments therefore continue a theme that has followed him for a long time.
From Manchester United to Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr and Portugal, Ronaldo has rarely escaped intense attention.
Every poor performance has created debate.
Every major decision has been analysed.
And every difficult period has led to questions about whether his career was finally coming to an end.
Ronaldo says criticism no longer controls him
At this stage of his life, Ronaldo says he understands how to deal with those opinions.
He knows what he has achieved.
He knows how much work was required to reach the top.
And he believes the respect he receives from supporters and younger players matters more than negative comments.
For Ronaldo, criticism is now something he accepts as part of being one of football’s biggest stars.
He still wants to inspire younger players
Ronaldo also spoke about his influence on the next generation.
Many young players have grown up watching him and have copied his training methods, celebrations and approach to football.
That is something Ronaldo values deeply.
He wants to remain an example for younger players even after his playing career ends.
For him, his legacy is not only about goals and trophies.
It is also about showing what discipline, ambition and consistency can achieve.
Ronaldo recently considered Portugal retirement
The comments come at an important moment in Ronaldo’s career.
He recently admitted that he seriously considered retiring from international football after the 2026 World Cup.
However, conversations with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença and new coach Jorge Jesus helped change his mind.
Ronaldo decided to continue because he still believes he can help Portugal.
As long as he can score goals, contribute to victories and remain important to the team, he wants to keep playing.
Jorge Jesus continues to trust him
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has also shown strong support for Ronaldo.
The veteran forward remains part of his plans and continues to be trusted as Portugal’s captain and attacking leader.
Jesus has made clear that Ronaldo will still be judged by his performances, but he continues to believe the striker can make a difference.
That trust is another reason Ronaldo has decided not to walk away yet.
The 1,000-goal target is getting closer
Ronaldo also has a historic individual target in front of him.
He currently has:
979 official career goals.
That leaves him only:
21 goals away from 1,000.
Ronaldo believes he can reach the milestone and has admitted it would be especially meaningful if goal No.1,000 came while playing for Portugal.
However, he has also made clear that reaching 1,000 goals would not automatically mean retirement.
Ronaldo still wants more
Despite his age, Ronaldo does not sound like a player ready to disappear quietly.
He still wants goals.
He still wants trophies.
And he still wants to represent Portugal.
His latest comments show that criticism has not reduced his confidence.
If anything, Ronaldo appears to use it as extra motivation.
Critics have not been able to stop him
Ronaldo’s message was delivered with humour, but there was also a serious point behind it.
He believes people have questioned him for years.
They have said he was finished.
They have questioned his place in the Portugal team.
And they have repeatedly predicted the end of his career.
But at 41, Ronaldo is still playing, still scoring and still chasing records.
For him, that is the strongest possible response.
His critics have tried to bring him down for years, but Cristiano Ronaldo believes they still have not succeeded.
