Cristiano Ronaldo considered retiring from international football after the World Cup before deciding to extend his Portugal career.
Ronaldo - who turns 42 in February - will win his 234th cap against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday, with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus confirming that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid will start the Nations League fixture.
Some commentators have suggested the game at the Jose Alvalade Stadium - the home of Ronaldo's first club Sporting - could be his international farewell, but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said he will finish when "I feel like I'm not doing anything here".
Age seemed to have caught up with Ronaldo this summer during a World Cup when many of the game's greatest stars shone on its biggest stage, leading to speculation that his international career had run its course.
Asked if he considered leaving Portugal after the World Cup, Ronaldo said: "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.
"This 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."
Leading Portuguese newspaper A Bola ran a poll prior to the Wales game inviting readers to select their team, and Ronaldo failed to make the starting XI.
Ronaldo said: "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."
Ronaldo, playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, currently has 979 career goals.
He denied that he is obsessed with reaching 1,000 goals, although he did add he would love to reach the landmark in Portugal colours.
"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.
"I'm happy with myself. It doesn't matter if I play tomorrow, if I rest the next game, for me the most important thing is that I feel good."
recbdnuy
0
True for Portugal: Nigerias INEC is running your FA. There’s only one way that goes!
Moseskhalid
0
obsessesion with goals
kaeabelnu
0
Don't talk nonsense; do you realize which legend you're talking about? This is a man who spent 20 years at the very top and ranked among the best. Look around—in no other sport do you find a giant like this who has stayed at the peak for two decades. You mock him now over just a season or two, yet—even at his age—he remains better and more hardworking than 90% of other forwards. Aside from Ronaldo and Messi, what he has achieved is something no one else could pull off.
dont mind them, there are things you don't need to be thought... the man has done things no ordinary player can do
Paabemn
1
Just a 21 goals to reach 1k easy peasy
Liodbest
0
People are mocking Ronaldo for still being called up, as if he hasn’t spent 20 years making the impossible look routine. When greatness becomes normal, people start calling it “boring.” Keep watching. 🐐🇵🇹
🤣🤣🤣 what he has done lately? 🤣🤣🤣
Bedikopryz
0
The truth is that,with the 1000 goals target, Cristiano will still come behind Messi.Don't forget both played against each other in laliga for 9 years,Cristiano eventually ran away from the shadow of Messi when he couldn't break himself from Messi dominance and supremacy. Both played against each other 30 times, cr7 won 8 times and Messi won 14 times both draw 8 times ,Cristiano scored 19 goals and Messi scored 21 goals. Cristiano in that 9 years won 2 laliga and Messi won 6 laliga, Cristiano won best player in laliga 2 times while Messi won 7 times. Cristiano was absolutely dominated, decimated, anihaliated, subdued, subjugated and conquered by Messi.Don't forget Cristiano was leading Messi in balloondor and golden shoe before Messi overtake Cristiano, Messi has taken everything away from Cristiano and it is reason Cristiano and his fans doesn't like Messi and this 1000 goal race which is the last thing that remains with Cristiano will be taken away from him by Messi, just wait and see, Cristiano himself knows it and it is the reason he fear to retire.
Messi stopped playing professional football when he went to play in the mls which is purely amateur league
MohammedPuchouKamara
1
Self centered man 😂🤣
remaceopry
1
NOTHING AGAINST HIM..BUT HE'S TIME IS LONG GONE IN A NATIONAL COLOURS..JUST PLAY FOR YOUR CLUB AND SCORE YOUR 1000 GOALS THERE..ITS ALL YOU THINK ABOUT..
Mwewaman
2
Come on Ronaldo, your time is up. Let the young ones lead. You can't contribute as much as you used to.
Football_Messi
2
no hate for Ronaldo.. but i think he should let other go forward.. although Messi is still the best in the team, I'm happy that now Argentina can think about a longer terms.. to build a team without Messi..
zipbekouy
0
The truth is that,with the 1000 goals target, Cristiano will still come behind Messi.Don't forget both played against each other in laliga for 9 years,Cristiano eventually ran away from the shadow of Messi when he couldn't break himself from Messi dominance and supremacy. Both played against each other 30 times, cr7 won 8 times and Messi won 14 times both draw 8 times ,Cristiano scored 19 goals and Messi scored 21 goals. Cristiano in that 9 years won 2 laliga and Messi won 6 laliga, Cristiano won best player in laliga 2 times while Messi won 7 times. Cristiano was absolutely dominated, decimated, anihaliated, subdued, subjugated and conquered by Messi.Don't forget Cristiano was leading Messi in balloondor and golden shoe before Messi overtake Cristiano, Messi has taken everything away from Cristiano and it is reason Cristiano and his fans doesn't like Messi and this 1000 goal race which is the last thing that remains with Cristiano will be taken away from him by Messi, just wait and see, Cristiano himself knows it and it is the reason he fear to retire.
LOL
sbeko30
0
cr7, keep enjoying football till your legs says rest.
😂 😂 His legs already said Quit but heart need 1000 goals he's playing with heart not with hard working
duybimotu
2
Tamu lumwanana nee
licacdiopu
2
The media never stop predicting Sir Alex babes CR7 into the lime light...
sedamotuy
2
cr7, keep enjoying football till your legs says rest.
Semckoprty
2
Ronaldo is just chasing numbers and he don't wanna see the team move forward.He will only retire after he reaches 150 international goals and 1000 goals overall and in the mean time Portugal must suffer.
Desciklnot
1
People are mocking Ronaldo for still being called up, as if he hasn’t spent 20 years making the impossible look routine. When greatness becomes normal, people start calling it “boring.” Keep watching. 🐐🇵🇹
Messi would have retired at 2019 if he was Ronaldo with that performance 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Desciklnot
2
The man with iron face 🤣
Desciklnot
0
but we already miss him since 2019 even after we watch his whole matches
Dihaciknyz
2
Let him learn from Messi, watching him on the bench and seeing crying every time is a pity and sorry state to watch once upon Cristiano.He should try safe the little respect left for him before things goes from bad to worse. People should be humble enough to know when to say goodbye.
Ssemakulajr
1
the man doesn't even get ashamed [Crylaugh]
Dihaciknyz
1
People are mocking Ronaldo for still being called up, as if he hasn’t spent 20 years making the impossible look routine. When greatness becomes normal, people start calling it “boring.” Keep watching. 🐐🇵🇹
What else is he looking for after 20 years as you said, he already has a son who will soon be in the national team, why don't he step aside for other to continue, why not he learn from Messi. Must everything revolve around him forever?
Dihaciknyz
5
The truth is that,with the 1000 goals target, Cristiano will still come behind Messi.Don't forget both played against each other in laliga for 9 years,Cristiano eventually ran away from the shadow of Messi when he couldn't break himself from Messi dominance and supremacy. Both played against each other 30 times, cr7 won 8 times and Messi won 14 times both draw 8 times ,Cristiano scored 19 goals and Messi scored 21 goals. Cristiano in that 9 years won 2 laliga and Messi won 6 laliga, Cristiano won best player in laliga 2 times while Messi won 7 times. Cristiano was absolutely dominated, decimated, anihaliated, subdued, subjugated and conquered by Messi.Don't forget Cristiano was leading Messi in balloondor and golden shoe before Messi overtake Cristiano, Messi has taken everything away from Cristiano and it is reason Cristiano and his fans doesn't like Messi and this 1000 goal race which is the last thing that remains with Cristiano will be taken away from him by Messi, just wait and see, Cristiano himself knows it and it is the reason he fear to retire.
vokadrtuz
2
Don't talk nonsense; do you realize which legend you're talking about? This is a man who spent 20 years at the very top and ranked among the best. Look around—in no other sport do you find a giant like this who has stayed at the peak for two decades. You mock him now over just a season or two, yet—even at his age—he remains better and more hardworking than 90% of other forwards. Aside from Ronaldo and Messi, what he has achieved is something no one else could pull off.
Fiyadmpsz
2
let him finish what he started just 1000 goals
AB_Muhammad
0
Oh no Szegedhe a boring to watch
Imtiyaz_asen
0
Oga we don't care Messi has given us all we asked from him.....
all that stolen stuff😀
Edooo87
2
he still playing
Musky23
5
People are mocking Ronaldo for still being called up, as if he hasn’t spent 20 years making the impossible look routine. When greatness becomes normal, people start calling it “boring.” Keep watching. 🐐🇵🇹
Tibeikstz
7
By targeting 1000gls your club, nation and teammate suffer alot without trophies. You were good example but not now
Miaabcekm
2
Go and rest Mr CR7. You're tired 😩
taeabikouy
4
1000 goal would be penalty you saw it here first ❤️
Tocilostyz
0
Oga we don't care Messi has given us all we asked from him.....
You are lieing, when did you talk to Messi mf
keaceiortu
5
Oga we don't care Messi has given us all we asked from him.....
Pimabdeksu
3
he is targeting goals not trophies ...why is too he too greedy
Nebceimprz
2
That would have been a good idea but now I'm not sure if anything is going to change 😔😕