LISBON, September 24, 2026 — Cristiano Ronaldo has said he considered ending his international career after Portugal’s World Cup defeat before deciding to remain available for the national team.
Ronaldo, who turns 42 in February, is due to win his 234th cap against Wales in a Nations League match in Lisbon on Thursday. Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has confirmed that the Al Nassr forward will start the game.
The match will be played at the José Alvalade Stadium, where Ronaldo began his senior club career with Sporting. That has led to speculation that the fixture could become his final appearance for Portugal, but Ronaldo said he had no fixed retirement date.
“I will finish when I feel like I’m not doing anything here,” he said.
Asked whether he had thought about leaving the national team after the World Cup, Ronaldo replied: “Yes I did. Of course, I’m always thinking on my decisions, my future, the present also.”
He said discussions with Portugal’s president and coach had influenced his decision to continue.
“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. “I think I can give to the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football.”
Ronaldo’s position in the team has come under renewed scrutiny after a World Cup campaign in which several of the tournament’s established stars delivered strong performances while his own influence appeared to decline. At 41, he remains one of the most recognisable figures in international football, but questions about his age and his ability to maintain the required level have become more frequent.
He said Portugal’s younger players were now central to the team’s future, while insisting that he could still contribute on the pitch.
“This is a new young generation,” he said. “But for me the basic point is to be able on the pitch to score the goals and to help the team win games.”
A poll conducted by Portuguese newspaper A Bola before the Wales match did not include Ronaldo in its proposed starting lineup. He responded by saying that criticism had been a constant feature of his career and that he had learned to live with it.
“I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I do understand that some TV channels want to criticise me,” Ronaldo said. “They’ve tried to kill me, but only with a shotgun.”
He added that some commentators wanted him to leave the national team, but said he remained capable of making that decision himself.
Ronaldo has represented Portugal for more than two decades and has won the European Championship and Nations League with the country. His international career has also included several difficult departures from major tournaments, helping to fuel periodic speculation that he would step away.
Now playing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has scored 979 goals in his professional career. He denied that reaching 1,000 goals had become an obsession, although he said he would like to achieve the landmark while wearing Portugal’s colours.
“I know why young kids love Cristiano, because they see me as an example, and I will continue to do that,” he said. “Even when I am retired.”
Ronaldo also said he was comfortable with the possibility of being rested or left out of individual matches, provided he remained physically and mentally well.
“I’m happy with myself,” he said. “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.”
For now, his immediate focus is the Nations League fixture against Wales. Ronaldo’s continued presence gives Portugal experience and global attention, while the team attempts to develop a younger generation around a player who is still unwilling to decide that his international career is over.
