Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will remain part of Portugal's international plans, declaring he still believes he can contribute as the country embarks on its Nations League campaign — and revealing he needs 21 goals to reach the personal landmark of 1,000 career goals.
Veteran presence and a clear target
The 41-year-old, who has said the 2026 World Cup would be his final tournament, has been included in Jorge Jesus' 25-man squad for the upcoming Nations League period, which opens with a match against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday night. Ronaldo said he had considered retirement following the World Cup but ultimately opted to stay because he believes he can still help Portugal — on and off the pitch.
"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."
Ronaldo emphasised both team and personal ambitions. He underlined his desire to add a third Nations League title to his honours list and set out the numerical goal driving him: 21 more goals to reach the round figure of 1,000 career goals.
Role beyond scoring
Although his primary contribution remains finding the net — "the basic point is to be on the pitch to score the goals and to help the team win games" — Ronaldo said mentoring younger players factored into his decision to continue. Portugal's squad for this window contains a number of emergent talents, including Fabio Silva, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Francisco Conceicao.
- Squad balance: an experienced superstar alongside a cohort of younger prospects
- Dual aims: Ronaldo seeks team success (a third Nations League) and a personal milestone (1,000 goals)
- Timing: Portugal face Wales in Lisbon to kick off this Nations League spell
Ronaldo framed his continued involvement as more than vanity: he said he could offer "support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football". That mix of on-field threat and off-field leadership is likely to be central to Portugal's planning as they attempt to transition into a new era while still extracting value from their most decorated player.
Context and consequences
The footballing calendar and Portugal's ambitions make Ronaldo's decision significant. As a two-time Nations League winner, his presence raises expectations that Portugal will be competitive in this competition. For the young players named, training and potentially playing alongside a figure of Ronaldo's standing creates opportunity and responsibility; for the coach, Jorge Jesus, it offers a proven option in pivotal moments but also requires managing minutes and the dressing-room dynamic.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Ronaldo's age | 41 |
| Goals needed for 1,000 | 21 |
| Squad size for window | 25 |
| Nations League titles held | 2 |
Portugal's immediate fixtures will also provide a barometer for how Ronaldo can be deployed. If he is utilised as a finisher in tight encounters, those 21 goals become a realistic, if ambitious, short- to medium-term objective. If his minutes are limited to preserve fitness, the emphasis on his leadership and mentorship will grow.
For supporters and rivals alike, the narrative adds an intriguing subplot to the international season: a veteran star chasing an iconic total while a younger generation attempts to assert itself. How Jorge Jesus blends those elements will determine whether Ronaldo's continued presence accelerates Portugal's progress or complicates a natural evolution.
Whatever the outcome, the headline is clear: Cristiano Ronaldo is not walking away yet. He will be on the pitch as Portugal begin their Nations League push — and with a ticking personal tally reminding everyone of what remains in play.
