Cristiano Ronaldo has chosen to continue his international career with Portugal after considering retirement following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At 41, the veteran forward is entering another chapter of his remarkable career with two ambitions still firmly in sight: helping Portugal compete for more silverware and reaching 1,000 career goals.
Ronaldo is set to make his 234th appearance for Portugal when the national team faces Wales in Lisbon in the opening match of the new Nations League campaign. The fixture also marks the beginning of a new era under head coach Jorge Jesus, who replaced Roberto Martinez following Portugal's World Cup exit.
The forward's decision to remain available for selection came after serious consideration of his future. Ronaldo acknowledged that retirement had crossed his mind after the World Cup, but conversations with Portugal's football leadership and the coaching staff helped convince him that he could still contribute to the national team.
His contribution, however, is not limited to scoring goals. Ronaldo has spoken about his desire to support a younger generation of Portuguese players, both on the pitch and away from it. Several emerging talents are part of the current squad, giving the team a different look as Jesus begins his tenure.
The pursuit of 1,000 career goals provides another significant motivation. Ronaldo currently has 979 goals for club and country, meaning he needs 21 more to reach the landmark figure. While the number has attracted considerable attention, he has indicated that he sees the achievement as an additional milestone rather than the sole reason for continuing his career.
For Portugal, the immediate objective is collective. Ronaldo has already helped the country win the European Championship and two Nations League titles, and he now wants to add another Nations League trophy to his international record. Portugal's campaign will also include matches against Norway and Denmark during the current international window.
Jesus has made clear that Ronaldo's reputation alone will not guarantee his place in the team. The new coach has said performance will determine selection, even while acknowledging the forward's exceptional status and experience. That approach places Ronaldo in a familiar position: continuing to prove himself while helping shape a team undergoing generational change.
The Wales match therefore carries significance beyond the opening three points of a new Nations League campaign. It represents the start of Portugal's post-World Cup rebuilding period and another stage in Ronaldo's extraordinary international career.
At a time when many players of his generation have already retired, Ronaldo remains focused on competing, scoring and contributing. Whether he reaches 1,000 goals will depend on what comes next, but the target has added another remarkable chapter to a career that has already spanned more than two decades.
For now, the Portugal captain's message is straightforward: he believes he still has something to give, and he intends to keep playing while he feels capable of making a meaningful contribution.