PARIS — Euro 2024 has likely become the final curtain call for several veteran football players, as age and the need for team renewal catch up with them.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Christiano Ronaldo, at 39, participated in his sixth European Championship but failed to score any goals. Despite his illustrious career, Ronaldo’s performance was lackluster, especially during the quarter-finals against France, which ended in a penalty shootout (0-0, 5-3 on penalties). His teammate Pepe, even at 41, played effectively in defense, but speculation suggests this could be his last appearance for Portugal. Similarly, Luka Modric, at 38, struggled during Croatia’s early exit from the tournament, amid calls for a team rejuvenation.
Other notable players nearing the ends of their international careers include Toni Kroos of Germany and Olivier Giroud of France. Kroos, 34, retired after Germany’s quarter-final loss to Spain (2-1 after extra time), and Giroud, 37, France’s all-time leading scorer with 57 goals, ended his national team journey after a subdued tournament performance.