The Portuguese star has netted 979 goals across his career for both club and country. At 41 years of age, he competes with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, and he has set his sights on reaching 1,000 goals — although he was not named among the starters in a poll conducted by Portuguese newspaper A Bola.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner considered retiring from international football after the 2026 World Cup. Instead, he decided to extend his Portugal career. He will win his 234th cap against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday, with Jorge Jesus confirming he will start the Nations League fixture at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, the home of his first club, Sporting.
His Decision to Keep Playing
This summer, age appeared to catch up with Ronaldo during a World Cup where many of the game’s greatest stars shone on its biggest stage, fueling speculation that his international career had run its course.
When asked whether he was thinking about leaving Portugal after the World Cup, Ronaldo responded with “Yes I did. Of course, I’m always thinking on my decisions, my future, the present also.”.
“I’m a thinker. You have to think. This is why you see me here now. It means I will continue.”
“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.”
“I can give to the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football.”
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Ronaldo wants to score his 1,000th goal in a Portugal shirt.
“Scoring my 1,000th goal for the national team would be the culmination of something – a beautiful story,” he said. “It wouldn’t be the end of it, but it would be a beautiful story.”
“I’ve already admitted that I want to get there, and I will get there. An obsession? No. The rest is about enjoying it, enjoying every day.”
“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.”
The Poll That Left Him Out
Before the match against Wales, readers of leading Portuguese newspaper A Bola were asked to pick their own team, and Ronaldo did not get selected for the starting lineup.
Ronaldo took the result with a shrug. “I said it quite often at home with my friends. I’ve been playing football for so many years, I have been welcome almost everywhere, apart from a few exceptions.”
“I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I do understand that some TV channels want to criticise me.”
“They are dying for me not to come to the national team anymore, but I can still move away from it.”
“Anyway, I am used to it. For over 20 years I have been doing this, but my memories are with people who love me.”
What the Rest of the World Thinks
Ronaldo’s chase for 1,000 goals has not impressed Wales manager Craig Bellamy, who describes it as silly. He wants his team to be the ones who put an end to it.
“Seriously? Who gets a thousand goals? We’re not counting youth football or anything,” said Bellamy.
“It’s just silly and I hope he gets it. But I hope he gets nothing against us.”
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“He’s had to adapt his game of course, but he’s at his most dangerous when he is not in the game. You’ve never been able to sleep on the pitch with this guy.”
“We’re talking about one of the greatest players of all generations, not just this generation, of all generations.”
“His name will go down in history for hundreds and hundreds of years. That’s the impact he’s had.”
He has said he will walk away from football when he believes he is no longer contributing to the team’s success. So far, he has found the net 979 times.
Here is the schedule for Thursday’s fixture:
| Date | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Nations League | Jose Alvalade Stadium, Lisbon |
A fitting stage for a man whose career began there awaits him at Sporting’s home ground.
Ronaldo continues to concentrate on the field for the moment. He has stated that he will end his career when he believes he can no longer make a real contribution, and he has already scored 979 goals.
See the video the story is built around at Sky Sports.
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