Cristiano Ronaldo met the media on the eve of Portugal’s opening Nations League fixture against Wales and made clear that, whatever others may believe, his time with the national team is not over. Many had considered his chapter with Portugal closed after he played in his sixth World Cup, but the captain still insists he has “gas in the tank” and remains the main attraction of the side now managed by Jorge Jesus.
Ronaldo laid out two clear aims for the campaign ahead. “My objective is twofold: goal number 1000 and winning the Nations League,” he said, describing the moment as the beginning of a new era. He also congratulated the work done by the outgoing Spanish coach despite the attacks that coach had received, and noted that he has already lifted the Nations League twice.
The new man in charge is Jorge Jesus, with whom Ronaldo joined up at Al Nassr last season and won the Saudi Pro League. For the forward, the appointment was “a perfect choice.” “He brings a different atmosphere, different ideas and a different language. As the coach said, many have already worked with him, which makes things easier. Tomorrow we have a difficult match,” he added.
He also addressed those most critical of his continuing international career. “I can’t be completely honest… I have to be politically correct,” he said. “Something I usually say is that I have always been very well received, but this was one of the years in which I felt the most affection. I understand that there are some media outlets trying to kill me, but only with a shotgun. And even so, I dodge the bullet.”
The current season marks the start of his 25th as a professional, and Ronaldo explained that it was from the age of 30 that he “learned to live in the moment.” He again insisted that “it is very possible that this will be his last year,” adding that he will let people know “when the time comes.”
Managing his workload is central at this stage of his career, and he guaranteed that he “will not play all four full matches.” He nevertheless made himself fully available to Jorge Jesus. “I believe I make it to the national team because I make the difference at my club. I’m available for whatever the coach needs, whether that’s to play, come on as a substitute, or not play… I know the coach is counting on me, and I’m not here because of my résumé, but because of what I do at my club.”
The match will not be an ordinary one for Ronaldo, since it marks his return to Alvalade. “It is special because this is where I started playing football. Returning to the place where I began is very beautiful. After so many years stepping onto the pitch, it still feels like the first time,” he said. He will try to keep closing the gap in his race toward a thousand goals, and while he knows he will reach it, he stressed that “it is not an obsession.”
He wants to cap his career with the national team and feels he is still contributing, but is clear about when he would step away. “When I feel that I’m not doing anything, I’ll pack my bags,” he said. “I only think about the present… I know many people want me to leave now, but my motivation comes from the people who still want to see me.”
Ronaldo also admitted that he had thought about retiring after the World Cup. “I’m always thinking about my decisions. But I chose to continue. I spoke with the president and the coach, and they are counting on me,” he said.