Cristiano Ronaldo has put his plans for international retirement on hold as he continues to pursue two major ambitions: helping Portugal achieve further success and reaching the 1,000-goal mark of his career.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain had considered retiring from international football after the World Cup. After discussions with the national team coach and the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, however, he changed his mind and decided that he still has a role to play.
Ronaldo has been included in Portugal’s 25-man squad for the upcoming Nations League campaign by head coach Jorge Jesus. Portugal are scheduled to open their campaign against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday, giving Ronaldo another opportunity to represent his country at the highest level.
Asked whether he had considered retiring after the World Cup, Ronaldo acknowledged that the possibility had crossed his mind.
“Yes, I thought about it. Of course, I always think about my decisions, my future and my present. I am a thoughtful person, so I have to think,” he said.
The forward, however, believes he can still contribute to Portugal’s ambitions. His role, he stressed, is not limited to scoring goals. He also sees his experience as valuable to the team away from the pitch.
“I still believe I have the ability to help the national team reach its goals. Not only by scoring goals, but also by helping the team off the pitch,” Ronaldo said.
A personal milestone within reach
One of Ronaldo’s biggest remaining individual targets is to score 1,000 career goals. According to the figures cited in the report, he is currently 21 goals away from reaching the landmark.
For a player whose career has been marked by an extraordinary number of goals and records, the milestone would represent another significant achievement. Yet Ronaldo has made clear that his personal objective is closely linked to Portugal’s ambitions.
Winning the Nations League for a third time is also high on his list of priorities. Portugal have already experienced success in the competition, and Ronaldo wants to help the national side challenge for another title.
“Both goals are important. 1,000 goals, yes. But the national team as well. Winning the Nations League… the competition starts on Thursday. It is a new chapter,” he said.
The comments reflect Ronaldo’s desire to continue contributing to Portugal while also moving closer to a landmark that has become an important personal objective late in his career.
Experience for Portugal’s younger players
Portugal’s current squad contains a mixture of established players and emerging talent. Fabio Silva, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Francisco Conceicao are among the younger players in the group.
Ronaldo believes being around this new generation is another reason for him to remain involved with the national team. His experience, accumulated over a career at the highest level, gives him a different role within a changing Portugal side.
“This is a new young generation. But for me, the main thing is to be on the pitch, score goals and help the team win matches,” he said.
The Portugal captain also acknowledged the influence he has on younger footballers. Having spent many years at the centre of world football, Ronaldo knows that emerging players have followed his career and regard him as an example.
“I know who I am. I know what I have done to be here and to achieve so much. I also know why young players love Cristiano. They see me as an example,” he said.
Ronaldo suggested that this influence will not necessarily end when his playing career does. He said he intends to continue setting an example for younger players even after retirement, potentially for many years to come.
Ronaldo focused on feeling fit
Despite his age, Ronaldo also expressed confidence in his physical condition. Rather than measuring his continued involvement by whether he plays every match, he said his priority is to feel comfortable and physically ready.
“I am happy with myself. Whether I play tomorrow or rest in the next match, that is not important. For me, the most important thing is that I feel good,” he said.
That approach reflects Ronaldo’s willingness to manage his involvement according to his physical condition while remaining available to Portugal when required.
For now, international retirement has been pushed into the future. Ronaldo’s immediate focus is on the Nations League, Portugal’s pursuit of another international trophy and the remaining 21 goals separating him from the 1,000-goal milestone cited in the report. His decision to continue also gives Portugal the benefit of his experience as a new generation of players develops around him.
