Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he thought about stepping away from his Portugal duties following the World Cup, but ultimately chose to keep representing his country.
The 41-year-old is expected to earn his 234th cap when Portugal face Wales in Lisbon on Thursday, and head coach Jorge Jesus has confirmed that Ronaldo will be in the starting lineup for the Nations League clash. The game is set to be played at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, which is the home ground of Sporting, the club where Ronaldo began his career.
Ronaldo has said in the past that he would step aside once he felt he was no longer adding value to Portugal, but he has now admitted that the idea of retiring from international football was seriously discussed after the World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo thought about ending Portugal career
Ronaldo conceded that he contemplated walking away from international football after the tournament, noting that he often takes time to think about his future and the choices ahead of him. Talks with Portugal’s president and head coach helped persuade him that he still had something to offer the national side.
“I had a conversation with our president, with our coach. I still believe that I’m able to help the national team to reach what they want and will finish when I feel like I’m not doing anything here,” Ronaldo said.
The forward also feels his importance goes beyond putting the ball in the net. As Portugal brings through a new generation of young talent, he wants to offer guidance both during matches and away from them, while keeping his main aim of helping the team secure victories.
“For me the basic point is to be able on the pitch to score the goals and to help the team win games,” he added.
Ronaldo answers Portugal criticism
Some pundits had suggested that the Wales fixture could serve as Ronaldo’s international send-off, especially since it is being staged at Sporting’s Jose Alvalade Stadium. Ronaldo, however, has made it clear that he has no current plans to bring his Portugal career to a close.
A Bola ran a poll ahead of the match asking readers to choose their preferred Portugal XI, and Ronaldo was left out of the suggested starting side. He acknowledged that scrutiny from parts of the Portuguese media is something he has grown used to after spending more than twenty years in the public eye.
“I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I do understand that some TV channels want to criticise me,” Ronaldo said. He added that his memories remain tied to the people who back him.
Ronaldo chasing 1,000 career goals
Ronaldo currently sits on 979 career goals while playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, which leaves the 1,000-goal landmark within his reach.
The forward denied being fixated on reaching four figures, though he did admit that netting his 1,000th goal while wearing Portugal colours would be a moment he would cherish.
Ronaldo also discussed his broader impact, stating that young children see him as a role model and that he plans to keep setting that example even once his playing days are over.
Ronaldo focused on feeling good
Even with all the discussion about his age and what comes next, Ronaldo said his main concern is simply to feel good rather than fretting over whether he features in every single match.
“I’m happy with myself. It doesn’t matter if I play tomorrow or if I rest the next game; for me the most important thing is that I feel good,” he said.
For the time being, that means carrying on with Portugal after giving serious thought to an international retirement following the World Cup.