Cristiano Ronaldo said he even thought about retiring from international football after Portugal’s poor 2026 World Cup campaign. But the veteran forward still played for his country and he has a lot of big goals following the game as well as two big targets for the future.
The 41-year-old came out at the Portugal Football Summit in Oeiras on 23 September 2026, ahead of Portugal's UEFA Nations League match against Wales.
Ronaldo thought about leaving Portugal
Ronaldo was asked whether he had considered walking away from international football after Portugal were eliminated from the World Cup.
His answer was direct: “Yes, I did.”
Portugal was beaten by Spain in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo had already alluded to the fact that the tournament would be his last World Cup and that he would take time to think about his future with the national team.
A few weeks later he confirmed that retirement from international football had actually been one of the options he considered.
Why Ronaldo decided to continue?
Ronaldo said conversations with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença and new head coach Jorge Jesus helped him think about his future.
As a result, he can still believe in the Portugal captain he still wants to help the team of Portugal he feels he can still find a way to contribute to the national team in his goals and his history.
He also said he would leave the team if he eventually feels that Portugal no longer needs his contribution.
However, Ronaldo is still available for Portugal as Portugal begins a new era under Jesus.
Two big goals for Ronaldo
Ronaldo also revealed the two objectives motivating him.
“My goal is twofold: to score my 1,000th goal and win the UEFA Nations League,” he said.
The forward entered this current international window with 979 career goals, 21 short of the 1,000-goal mark, according to Reuters reporting.
Ronaldo said that reaching 1,000 goals is not an obsession, although he clearly wants to achieve the landmark.
Another Nations League title would also add to his global recognition. Portugal won the competition in 2019 and 2025.
Ronaldo Praises Jorge Jesus
The Portugal star also welcomed the appointment of Jorge Jesus as the team’s new head coach.
Jesus replaced Roberto Martínez after Portugal's World Cup exit and previously coached Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo felt the appointment was very positive, and he said the coach has different ideas, communication style and he’s familiar with a lot of his players.
Is this Ronaldo’s final year?
Even though he said he will continue with Portugal for now, Ronaldo said his international career could be coming to an end.
He said he doesn’t know exactly when he’ll retire and said this might be his final year. He said he’d announce when that time came.
For now, the Portuguese icon is focused on his two goals: the 1,000-goal milestone and another Nations League title.
