LISBON — Cristiano Ronaldo considered retiring from international football after this summer's World Cup before deciding to extend his Portugal career, with the 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward targeting a "beautiful" 1,000th career goal in a Portugal shirt. Ronaldo, who turns 42 in February and sits on 979 goals for club and country, will win his 234th cap against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday after Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward will start the Nations League fixture at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, the home of his first club Sporting.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner said speculation that the Wales game could be his international farewell is premature and that he will finish only when "I feel like I'm not doing anything here." Asked if he considered leaving Portugal after a World Cup where age appeared to catch up with him while many of the game's greatest stars shone, 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."
Ronaldo said he can still help Portugal beyond goals as a new young generation emerges. "I can give to the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football," he said. "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." The build-up has included scrutiny at home, with leading Portuguese newspaper A Bola running a poll inviting readers to select their team for the Wales game in which Ronaldo failed to make the starting XI.
Ronaldo addressed the criticism directly, saying he remains welcomed by supporters despite commentary on television. "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," he said. "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."
On the milestone chase, Ronaldo denied he is obsessed with reaching 1,000 goals but admitted he wants to do it for Portugal. "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." He added: "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."