Ronaldo confirms Portugal continuation after weighing international retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to continue playing for Portugal after considering international retirement following the World Cup, BBC Sport reported on Wednesday. The 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward said he had discussed his future with the federation president and the national coach, and still believed he could contribute to the team's ambitions.

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Ronaldo's decision is not only about extending his scoring record. According to the BBC, he wants to help Portugal's younger players while continuing to deliver goals and victories himself. He said his contribution could extend beyond what happens on the pitch, although performing in matches remained central to his explanation for staying.

Jorge Jesus has included Ronaldo in a 25-player squad for the Nations League campaign. Fabio Silva, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Francisco Conceição are among the younger players selected. Ronaldo identified another Nations League title as an objective alongside reaching 1,000 goals across his club and international career.

In a separate report, Diário de Aveiro said Ronaldo had not set a retirement date and intended to announce that decision when it came. Speaking at a press conference held within the Portugal Football Summit, he described a focus on the present rather than laying out a timetable for the remainder of his playing career.

The Portuguese newspaper put his career total at 979 goals, leaving him 21 short of the target. Ronaldo expressed confidence that he could get there, but said he did not regard the pursuit as an obsession. He also said he would particularly like the landmark goal to come while representing Portugal, without predicting when he might score it.

Portugal begin their Nations League title defence against Wales at Lisbon's Estádio José Alvalade on Thursday. Diário de Aveiro noted that Portugal won the competition in 2019 and again in 2025. Their first title followed a final victory over the Netherlands. The latter success came against Spain, with Portugal winning the penalty shootout 5-3 after the final finished 2-2 following extra time.