‘I was always demanding of myself. I always wanted more, I always believed we could go further. And I gave everything I had for this jersey. There were perfect afternoons and nights, there were victories I will never forget.
‘There were defeats that even today I find hard to remember. I also failed, I also suffered, there were also moments when I was not able to give the Portuguese people what they so desired. But I never gave up. And above all, I never stopped feeling proud to represent Portugal.
‘Throughout these years, I learned very simple things. Goals pass, trophies stay in museums, records end up being broken. But there is something that time can never erase: the place we occupy in people’s hearts.
‘If I ever made you happy, if ever a goal of mine made you hug someone, forget a problem, or simply feel proud of our country, then it was all worth it. Because being Portuguese is also that. We suffer together, we get up together.
‘We believe again. Portugal will always need youngsters who dream of it, players who never give up, new generations who believe it is possible to reach where no one has reached. Because a country that continues to create new heroes is a country that never stops believing in itself.
‘To my national team teammates, I want to leave a special word. Thank you for every run, for every hug, for every argument, for every silence before entering the pitch. For every victory we celebrated together and for every defeat that made us stronger. I had the privilege of being your captain, but no captain walks alone. And you are part of my history. To all the coaches, directors, doctors, physiotherapists, kit men, staff, and so many people who worked with me over these years, my thank you.
