C. Ronaldo: 'I thought about the end of my career with the national team'

2026-09-24 10:10 © AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo with the Portugal national team will start the new UEFA Nations League season on Thursday evening.

The 41-year-old Portugal football legend has decided not to end his career with the national team and will continue to defend his country's honor.

Before the first match against Wales, C. Ronaldo revealed that he considered ending his national team career after the World Cup.

"I thought about ending my national team career. I always think about my future and the decisions I make.

I talked to the federation president and the national team coach. I am confident that I can still be of use to the national team in achieving our goals. When I feel that I am no longer useful to the team, then I will definitely step aside. I feel that I can be beneficial to the team not only on the field but also off it,” – C. Ronaldo said before the match.

The captain of the Portugal national team has recently received quite a bit of criticism from the local media, but C. Ronaldo does not take it seriously.

"I fully understand that certain media outlets want to deal with me. They really want me not to come to the national team, but I do not react to that.

Throughout my long career, I have become used to it, but I want to focus on those people who love and support me,” – C. Ronaldo elaborated.