Photo: Collected
Cristiano Ronaldo had thought of bidding farewell to international football after the World Cup. In the end, however, the Portuguese superstar has moved away from that thought. He wants to carry on with the aim of reaching the milestone of 1,000 career goals as well as bringing more success to the national team.
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has kept the 41-year-old Ronaldo in the 25-member squad for the upcoming Nations League. Portugal will begin this Nations League campaign with a match against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday.
Asked whether he had thought about retirement after the World Cup, Ronaldo said, ‘Yes, I did. I always think about my decisions, the future and the present. I am a thoughtful person, so I have to think.’
However, he changed his mind after discussions with the national team coach and the federation president. In Ronaldo’s words, ‘I still believe I have the ability to help the national team reach its goals. I can help the team not only by scoring goals, but off the pitch as well.’
On Ronaldo’s list of personal achievements, the biggest target now is 1,000 goals. He is currently 21 goals away from that milestone.
However, he does not see the personal target as separate from the team’s success. Winning Portugal the Nations League title for the third time is also one of his main goals. He said, ‘Both goals are important. 1,000 goals, yes. Alongside that, the national team too. Winning the Nations League… the competition starts on Thursday. This is a new chapter.’
Portugal’s current squad has a host of young talents such as Fabio Silva, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Francisco Conceicao. Ronaldo said being beside these footballers of the new generation is also one of the reasons for staying on in the national team.
He said, ‘This is a new young generation. But for me the main thing is to be on the pitch, score goals and help the team win matches.’
The Portuguese captain also spoke of his own influence on the youngsters, ‘I know who I am. I know what I have done to be here and to have so much success. I also know why the youngsters love Cristiano. They see me as an example. I will keep doing that, even after retirement… 10 more years!’
Ronaldo is also confident about his physical condition. He said, ‘I am happy with myself. Whether I play tomorrow or rest in the next match, that is not important. The most important thing for me is to feel good.’
