1 hr ago
Cristiano Ronaldo Reverses Retirement Plan, Will Continue for Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo had been thinking about retiring from Portugal’s national football team.
He now says he will keep playing for the country.
Ronaldo believes Portugal’s citizens and team still want his help.
He says he will leave if the team decides he is no longer useful.
Portugal’s coach, Jorge Jesus, called Ronaldo an important symbol of the country.
The coach also said Ronaldo would start against Wales.
Ronaldo’s performances at the World Cup were criticized after Portugal lost to Spain.
Ronaldo has scored 979 official career goals.
He hopes to score his 1,000th goal while playing for Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo said he will continue representing Portugal because citizens still count on him.
Ronaldo said he will leave the national team if its officials no longer want him or believe he adds value.
Portugal reached the World Cup round of 16 before losing 1–0 to Spain, while Ronaldo’s performances were criticized.
Head coach Jorge Jesus called Ronaldo a symbol of Portugal and said he would start against Wales.
Ronaldo has scored 979 official career goals in 1,337 appearances and hopes to reach 1,000 with Portugal.
- Who
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus, and the Portugal national team.
- What
- Ronaldo reversed indications that he might retire from international football and said he will continue representing Portugal.
- Where
- With Portugal’s national football team; the article does not specify the venue of the Wales match.
- When
- The announcement was reported on September 23, 2026; he was scheduled to start against Wales on Thursday.
- Why
- Ronaldo said Portuguese citizens still count on him and that he believes he can help the team on and off the pitch.
Ronaldo and Team Supporters
Critics and Performance Concerns
Whether Ronaldo should continue
Ronaldo and Team Supporters
Ronaldo says Portugal’s citizens still count on him and that he can contribute through goals, leadership, and support for younger players.
Critics and Performance Concerns
His performances at the World Cup were criticized, and he had recently suggested that the end of his career could be near.
When he would leave
Ronaldo and Team Supporters
Ronaldo says he will remain as long as Portugal wants him and believes he is still helping the team.
Critics and Performance Concerns
Ronaldo acknowledged that he would immediately leave if the team decided he was no longer adding value or was harming the atmosphere.
Key facts
- International future
- Ronaldo will continue playing for Portugal.
- Condition for departure
- He said he will leave if the team no longer wants him or believes he adds no value.
- Recent World Cup result
- Portugal reached the round of 16 and lost 1–0 to Spain.
- Portugal coach
- Jorge Jesus called Ronaldo a symbol of Portugal and the national team.
- Next stated start
- Jesus said Ronaldo would start against Wales in the Nations League.
- Career record
- Ronaldo has scored 979 official goals in 1,337 appearances.
- Personal target
- Ronaldo said he would like to score his 1,000th goal for Portugal.
Quotes
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portuguese footballer and Portugal captain
“Whenever they say they don’t want me in the national team, I will be the first one to go. When I think I am not adding anything to the team, or that I create an atmosphere, I will be the first to go. I will take my suitcase and leave. The Portuguese count on me. That’s why I’m still here … Just look at the numbers, I’m sure you can make some calculations, I’m still doing well. The day they don’t count on me, no problemo, I will leave. I will always be the No 1 fan of this federation.”
news18.com
“I still believe that I’m able to help the national team to reach what they want. I think I can give the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football.”
news18.com







