Cristiano Ronaldo may have wrapped up his 2024–25 campaign with Al Nassr, but his season is far from over. The Portuguese icon now shifts focus to the UEFA Nations League semifinals, where Portugal will face Germany. Ahead of the high-stakes match, one German star is urging his teammates not to overlook the 40-year-old legend.
In what’s expected to be a tightly contested matchup, Germany captain Joshua Kimmich made it clear that Ronaldo still poses a major threat—despite being in the final stages of his career. With six goals in the tournament, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner remains a game-changer. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Kimmich acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“I read that on Wednesday, Ronaldo will play his 220th international match and has scored over 130 goals for the national team. I’m still quite a ways off from that,” he said with a laugh. But Kimmich quickly shifted to a more serious tone when discussing Ronaldo’s longevity at the elite level.
“That’s an absolutely insane number. To maintain that kind of consistency over more than 20 years at the highest level is truly exceptional. He’s a very special player, performing for his country. For me, 100 caps already makes me very proud,” added the 30-year-old, who will hit that milestone against Portugal.
Kimmich has witnessed Ronaldo’s entire career arc. In fact, when the Portuguese forward made his debut in a major tournament at Euro 2004, Kimmich was just nine years old, making his first steps in German soccer academies.
see also
Real Madrid’s surprise Kylian Mbappe move provokes France’s fury – FIFA Club World Cup duties lead to UEFA Nations League tensions
“For me, facing him is always unique, because he was already playing at the top level when I was still a kid. I used to always watch him play, and now he’s still out there. It’s special to be able to perform at that level for so long as a professional,” he said, both warning about Ronaldo’s game-day influence and praising his career consistency.
Ronaldo’s quest for a second Nations League title
As questions continue to swirl around Ronaldo’s future at Al Nassr—with the Saudi club reportedly preparing a new offer to keep him—the veteran forward has placed all focus on his next international objective: a second UEFA Nations League title.
Ronaldo previously lifted the trophy in the competition’s inaugural 2018–19 edition, scoring a hat trick in the semifinals. Portugal failed to make the final four in both the 2020–21 and 2022–23 editions, finishing second in the group stage each time.
Now, Portugal has a golden opportunity to secure its third major international trophy. First up is Germany on Wednesday, June 4, in the semifinal. If they advance, a potential showdown against either Spain or France awaits—setting the stage for what could be a legacy-defining moment for Ronaldo.
