Cristiano Ronaldo Makes Retirement U-Turn: 'The Portuguese Count On Me'

News sports football Cristiano Ronaldo Makes Retirement U-Turn: 'The Portuguese Count On Me'

Last Updated:September 23, 2026, 23:16 IST

Cristiano Ronaldo will continue playing for Portugal, stating citizens count on him. He will leave if the team no longer wants him.

Cristiano Ronaldo has reneged on the talk about retiring from international football, saying that he’d continue to represent Portugal because the citizens are still counting on him. He said that the day his team tells him they don’t want him around, he ‘will take my suitcase and leave’.

Ronaldo captained Portugal at the World Cup, taking them to the Round of 16, where they were eliminated 1–0 by Spain. His own performances were criticised throughout. Soon after, the Al-Nassr star dropped several hints of how the end of his career was imminent.

“Yes, I did. Of course, I’m always thinking about my decisions, my future, the present also," Ronaldo said when asked about retirement thoughts. “I’m a thinker; you have to think. This is why you see me here now, it means I will continue," he said.

Jorge Jesus, the Portugal head coach, said the 41-year-old would start in his first game in charge, against Wales in the Nations League on Thursday, calling him ‘a symbol of Portugal and the national team’.

“I had a conversation with our president [Pedro Proenca], with our coach. I still believe that I’m able to help the national team to reach what they want," Ronaldo added. “I think I can give the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football. There is a new young generation, but for me the basic point is to be able on the pitch to score the goals and to help the team win games."

“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," he said.

Ronaldo, who has scored 979 official career goals in 1,337 appearances, said he’d love to have his 1000th to be for Portugal.

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