Sports · updated 1h ago · 2 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo Targets 1,000 Goals With Portugal Ahead of Nations League Title Defense vs Wales
Ronaldo aims to reach 1,000 career goals across club and country. Named in Portugal squad for Nations League opener vs Wales under Jorge Jesus.
Whether retirement date is clearly defined.
5 of 7 outlets skipped it: ronaldo says he will keep playing until he’s not helping.
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BBC
“the 2026 World Cup would be his last, although his long-term future remained uncertain.”Read the original ↗
Reuters
“Pressed on retirement, Ronaldo refused to draw a clear line under his career.”Read the original ↗
The BBC sets the 2026 World Cup as his last. Reuters says Ronaldo refused to draw a clear line on retirement.
Ronaldo chases 1,000
Cristiano Ronaldo said he wants to reach 1,000 goals in his career while playing for the Portugal national team, speaking during a press conference at the Portugal Football Summit in Oeiras, on the outskirts of Lisbon. Ronaldo told the Portugal Football Summit, “I’ve already admitted that I want to get there and I’m going to get there,” and he said it would not be an obsession. Ronaldo said he has 979 goals in his career, including 450 with Real Madrid and 146 with the Portuguese national team, and he aimed to reach another record with Portugal.
Ronaldo said he does not know when he will end his career, adding, “I don’t know when I’m going to end my career.” Portugal will begin defending its Nations League title this Thursday against Wales at Lisbon’s José Alvalade Stadium.
Jorge Jesus era
Jorge Jesus described Ronaldo as a “symbol of Portugal and the national team” as Portugal prepared for Thursday’s UEFA Nations League match against Wales in Lisbon. Ronaldo said he had considered retiring from international duty after Portugal’s World Cup exit, but he said he opted to continue after conversations with “our president” and “our coach.” Ronaldo said, “One thousand goals, yes, and the national team,” and he said winning the Nations League “starts tomorrow [Thursday], it’s a new age.”
Ronaldo also said he would be willing to fulfill any role under Jesus, explaining, “Whether it’s to come on, to go out, or not to play.” Portugal’s Nations League campaign begins against Wales in Lisbon, then moves to Norway on the 27th, Denmark on October 1, and another meeting with Norway on October 4 at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto.
Criticism and what’s next
Ronaldo said he understands criticism and said some TV channels have tried to “kill” him, but he insisted he can still move away from it. Ronaldo said, “they’ve tried to kill me with a shotgun, but I can still move away from it,” and he added, “Anyway, I am used to it.” Ronaldo said he still wants to help Portugal beyond goals, telling reporters, “I can give to the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football.”
““But I hope he gets nothing against us.””
Ronaldo said he will continue as long as he feels he is contributing, adding, “When I feel that I’m not doing anything here, that I’m not contributing on the pitch, not scoring goals, creating a bad atmosphere, or that they don’t want me here, I’ll be the first to pack my bags.” Craig Bellamy said he hoped Ronaldo gets “nothing against us” as Portugal’s Nations League opener approaches at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon.