Cristiano Ronaldo has answered questions about goals, trophies, and records for more than 20 years. But at 41, the questions around him have changed.
People now want to know how much longer he will play. Does Portugal still need him? And after achieving almost everything in football, what still keeps him going?
Ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Wales, Ronaldo gave some clear answers.
Sitting alongside new Portugal coach Jorge Jesus, Ronaldo spoke about retirement, his role in the team, criticism, and his chase for 1,000 career goals.
He even joked about playing for another 10 years.
Cristiano Ronaldo admits he thought about leaving Portugal
🚨🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo: “I thought about RETIRING from international football after the World Cup”.
“But I spoke to the President, Coach and I am still here. I am an asset, I can help”. pic.twitter.com/Uc1X2GIgJl
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 24, 2026
Portugal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup journey ended with a Round of 16 defeat against Spain. After the loss, many wondered if Ronaldo had played his final major tournament for Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo has now admitted that he thought about leaving.
“Yes, I did. Of course, I’m always thinking about my decisions, my future, the present also,” Ronaldo said. “I’m a thinker; you have to think. This is why you see me here now, it means I will continue.”
However, Ronaldo finally decided that his time with Portugal was not over.
He also spoke with important people inside the national team before making his decision.
“I had a conversation with our president [Pedro Proença], with our coach. I still believe that I’m able to help the national team to reach what they want. I think I can give the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football. There is a new young generation, but for me the basic point is to be able on the pitch to score the goals and to help the team win games.”
Portugal now has many young players coming through. Ronaldo knows the team is changing.
But he does not want to stay only because of his name or past success. He still wants to score goals and help Portugal win. At the same time, his long experience can help younger players off the pitch.
Ronaldo explains when he will leave Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo also made it clear that he will not force himself to stay in the national team.
“Whenever they say they don’t want me in the national team, I will be the first one to go. When I think I am not adding anything to the team, or that I create an atmosphere, I will be the first to go. I will take my suitcase and leave.”
For now, Ronaldo believes he still helps the team. He pointed towards his numbers as proof.
“The Portuguese count on me. That’s why I’m still here … Just look at the numbers, I’m sure you can make some calculations, I’m still doing well. The day they don’t count on me, no problemo, I will leave. I will always be the No 1 fan of this federation.”
Ronaldo entered this international window with 979 career goals for club and country. He was also preparing for his 234th Portugal appearance against Wales.
Jorge Jesus confirmed that his captain would start the Nations League game.
So, Ronaldo does not want his age alone to decide his future. He wants his performances to decide it.
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Cristiano Ronaldo responds to his critics
Ronaldo’s place in Portugal’s team has also created plenty of debate.
Some people question whether Portugal should continue depending on a 41-year-old forward when the team has several younger players.
Ronaldo knows about the criticism.
“I cannot be 100% honest, sometimes I have to be politically correct.”
He then spoke more openly about the people who regularly criticise him.
“I do understand that some TV channels like to criticise me, they’ve tried to kill me – with a shotgun – but I can still move away from it. Anyway, I am used to it. I have been doing this for more than 20 years, I’m quite used to it. What I can control, I will. What I can’t, I won’t.”
Ronaldo has lived under huge attention for most of his career. His performances, celebrations, interviews and even body language regularly become talking points.
After more than two decades at the top, he has learned to live with it.
His approach is now simple. He wants to focus on what he can control.
Cristiano Ronaldo also explained why he remains relaxed about his situation.
“For me the most important thing is I know what I am. I know what I do to be here, I know what I have done to have the success that I have had. I know why young kids love Cristiano, because they see me as an example, and I will continue to do that. Even when I am retired … in 10 years,” Ronaldo said in an interview.
The final line brought laughter.
Ronaldo was joking, but his message was clear. He does not want to give an exact date for his retirement.
Ronaldo’s chase for 1,000 career goals continues
There is also one huge number in front of Ronaldo: 1,000 career goals.
Ronaldo has 979 goals for club and country, leaving him only 21 short of the landmark.
But he says he is not obsessed with reaching it.
“I said I wanted to reach that target and I will reach that target. But I don’t have an obsession. If you are obsessed with something, you won’t get it … Just enjoy. Carpe diem, enjoy the day.”
Ronaldo wants to reach 1,000, but he does not want the chase to take away his enjoyment of football.
There is also one special way he would like to score that goal.
“It would be the cherry on the top of the cake to score my 1,000th goal with the national team. It would be the culmination of a beautiful story.”
It would certainly connect two huge parts of Ronaldo’s career.
He made his senior Portugal debut in 2003. Since then, he has become the most-capped men’s international footballer and the highest goalscorer in men’s international football.
Scoring goal number 1,000 for Portugal would make the milestone even more special.
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A special return to where Ronaldo’s journey started
Portugal’s match against Wales also carries an emotional connection for Ronaldo.
The game will take place at José Alvalade Stadium, the home of Sporting CP. Ronaldo started his senior club career there before joining Manchester United in 2003.
“It’s a special feeling because it was there where my beautiful history started,” Ronaldo said. “I’m very proud about that, to play for the national team after so many years, playing where I practically was opened to the world … It was a beautiful moment.”
More than two decades later, Ronaldo will return there as Portugal captain.
“It is always a pleasure to play for the national team, to wear the colours of Portugal. After so many years, it is [still always] like the first time. I will step on to the pitch with passion, emotion. I hope we can get off on the right foot. Because it’s at Sporting, it does feel a bit more special.”
The match also begins a new chapter for Portugal under Jorge Jesus, who replaced Roberto Martinez after the World Cup. Jesus already knows Ronaldo from Al-Nassr, and Ronaldo called him the “perfect choice” for Portugal.
Ronaldo also made his future clear. He thought about retirement but chose to continue. He knows young players are coming and criticism will remain. At 41, he still wants to score, win games, and chase 1,000 goals before his Portugal journey finally ends.
What are your thoughts on Ronaldo’s comments? Let us know in the comments.
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