A farewell message not without controversy

Katia Aveiro, sister of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, wasted no time reacting to the Portugal captain's decision to retire from international football. Across her social media accounts she posted a lengthy message brimming with pride in his career, though one line also dropped a hint that raised questions.

Posting via the Stories feature on her Instagram account, Katia wrote: "I could say a lot, but time will certainly reveal everything. Until then, I say to you: you are great, a giant, and a legend."

The sister of the Al-Nassr captain added: "Today the world bids you farewell with the Portugal national team. As for me, as your sister, I look back and feel a pride too great for my chest to hold. I know the battles you fought, and everything you gave to our country, and what you built throughout your career."

She continued: "You changed the course of your destiny, and you took Portugal with you. Yes, it is a sad day, but stages come to an end so that other stages can begin. Time is the judge, and if there is something that still needs an answer, perhaps things will become clearer tomorrow."

Her message ended with emotional words: "Your honour and the path you took are greater than any farewell. This image may not be of high quality, but it holds immense significance for me, because it keeps a part of our history, and it always reminds me that before you were the Cristiano Ronaldo the world admires, you were and will remain my brother and my little child. I love you, and I feel boundless pride in you."

That line about matters still needing answers, and the possibility of them becoming clearer later, left plenty of ambiguity over the behind-the-scenes details of the retirement decision. She gave nothing more away and never clarified exactly what she meant.