Ronaldo vows to keep playing for Portugal, reveals two dreams before retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he considered retiring from international football after the World Cup but decided to continue playing for Portugal with two goals driving him: to win another Nations League title and reach 1,000 career goals.

This was said by the 41-year-old player who played 233 games for Portugal discussed his future with the Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca and head coach Jorge Jesus before deciding to remain available for the national team.

“Yes, he had,” Ronaldo said when asked if he had considered leaving after the World Cup. “Of course I’m always thinking about my decisions, about my future, also about the present. I’m a thinker, you have to think. That’s why you see me here now, it means I’m going to continue.”

Ronaldo said he still believes he can contribute to the Portuguese team entering a new phase Jesus, who replaced Roberto Martinez.

“I still believe I am capable of helping the national team achieve what they want,” he said. “I think I can support the national team not only with goals, but also outside of football.”

The experienced striker added that if he feels that Portugal no longer wants him, he will leave the national team.

“Whenever they say they don’t want me in the national team, I will go first,” Ronaldo said. “When I think I’m not adding anything to the team or that I’m creating an atmosphere, I’ll go first.”

Ronaldo’s immediate focus is clear. Asked about his ambitions, he said: “My goal is twofold: to score my 1,000th goal and win the UEFA Nations League.”

Ronaldo is 21 goals away from the 1,000 goal mark across club and international football. He insisted the goal was not an obsession, but acknowledged that achieving it would be a significant moment in his career.

“I know I can achieve it, but it’s not an obsession,” he said. “The rest is about enjoying it, but yes, I really want to achieve this record.

Ronaldo also praised the appointment of Jesus, who previously managed him at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Jesus is set to start his Portugal stint against Wales in the Nations League on Thursday.

“It was the perfect choice,” Ronaldo said. “It brings a different atmosphere, new ideas and a different way of speaking.”

Jesus, meanwhile, described Ronaldo as a symbol of Portuguese football but stressed that the selection decision would remain the responsibility of the manager.

“Cristiano is a symbol of Portugal and the national team,” Jesus said. “If he’s going to play games, he’s not entitled to it, it’s up to the manager.”

Ronaldo also addressed the criticism he has faced throughout his long career. Asked about his critics, he joked that sometimes he had to be diplomatic before adding: “There are people who want to kill me, but only with a shotgun.”

He said he was used to criticism after more than two decades at the highest level.

“I’ve been doing it for more than 20 years, I’m quite used to it,” Ronaldo said. “What I can control, I will control. What I can’t, I won’t.”

The Portugal captain also admitted this could be his last year in international football, although he does not know when he will retire.

“I don’t know, I wish I knew the answer, but I don’t,” he said. “I’ve learned to live in the moment in my late thirties, so I don’t know, but it’s very likely this will be my last year. I’ll tell you when my last game will be.”

For now, Ronaldo is focused on Portugal’s next chapter. He will return to the Jose Alvalade Stadium, where his professional career began at Sporting, for the Nations League match against Wales.

“It’s a special feeling because that’s where my beautiful history started,” he said.

“It’s always a pleasure to play for the national team, to wear the colors of Portugal. After so many years, it’s like the first time. I’ll take the pitch with passion, emotion. I hope we get off on the right foot.”

And should the milestone arrive in Lisbon, Ronaldo already knows how significant it would be.

“It would be icing on the cake if I scored my 1,000th goal for the national team,” he said. “It would be the climax of a beautiful story.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

23 Sep 2026 21:48 IST