Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo following Portugal's victory in the UEFA Nations League final against Spain on Sunday night.
Scaloni, who leads the World Cup champions Argentina, praised the 40-year-old Portuguese superstar, stating that players like Ronaldo and Messi "will stop being great only when they retire."
"Beyond their age, their presence means a lot — not just by playing. I congratulate Ronaldo and Portugal, it was a great match," Scaloni remarked ahead of Argentina's upcoming CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.
Ronaldo's Decisive Performance
Ronaldo played a crucial role in Portugal's triumph, scoring one of the goals that forced the match into extra time. The contest eventually went to penalties, where Roberto Martinez's side emerged victorious with a 5-3 shootout win over Spain.
The Al-Nassr forward was instrumental throughout Portugal's Nations League campaign, netting an impressive eight goals in nine appearances despite being in the twilight of his career at 40 years of age.
Argentina's World Cup Qualifying Campaign
Meanwhile, Scaloni's Argentina are preparing to face Colombia in the World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday. Lionel Messi, 39, is part of Scaloni's squad but started from the bench when Argentina played Chile in their previous World Cup qualifier on June 5.
The comments from Scaloni highlight the continued excellence of both Ronaldo and Messi, who remain influential figures in world football despite their advancing years.
Reports also suggest that Ronaldo is set to sign a new deal with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, with the Portuguese star himself indicating that "nothing is gonna change" regarding his club future.
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