Cristiano Ronaldo said he considered quitting international football after the World Cup, but confirmed he plans to play on for Portugal and hopes to reach 1,000 goals for club and country. Ronaldo, who is 21 goals shy of the milestone, accepted some critics are trying to “kill” him but is determined to carry on.
Ronaldo, who has won 233 caps for his country, captained Portugal in the summer at the World Cup, where they exited to Spain in the last 16. Asked if he considered walking away from international duty, he replied: “Yes, I did. Of course, I’m always thinking about my decisions, my future, the present also. I’m a thinker; you have to think. This is why you see me here now, it means I will continue.
“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. 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.”
Jorge Jesus, the Portugal head coach who managed Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, said the 41-year-old would start in his first game in charge, against Wales in the Nations League on Thursday. Jesus, who has succeeded Roberto Martínez, also launched a passionate defence of Ronaldo, drawing applause from many in attendance at Portugal’s City of Football complex in Lisbon.
“Cristiano is a symbol of Portugal and the national team,” said Jesus, sitting alongside Ronaldo at the Portugal federation’s campus. “If he will play the games, he is not entitled to that, it is up to the manager to decide.”
Ronaldo cut a relaxed figure on stage alongside Jesus. “For me the most important thing is I know what I am,” he said. “I know what I do to be here, I know what I have done to have the success that I have had. I know why young kids love Cristiano, because they see me as an example, and I will continue to do that. Even when I am retired … in 10 years.
“I’m happy with myself. It doesn’t matter if I play tomorrow, if I’m rested for the next game, for me the most important thing is that I feel good. The people around me, they trust in my work. Focus on the people who love Cristiano, not the people who criticise me, so I am a happy person.”
Asked directly about the criticism, Ronaldo triggered laughter from many in the room by replying: “I cannot be 100% honest, sometimes I have to be politically correct.” He added: “I do understand that some TV channels like to criticise me, they’ve tried to kill me – with a shotgun – but I can still move away from it. Anyway, I am used to it. I have been doing this for more than 20 years, I’m quite used to it. What I can control, I will. What I can’t, I won’t.”
On Thursday Ronaldo will return to José Alvalade Stadium, where he began his career with Sporting, before joining Manchester United in 2003. It is Portugal’s first game in Lisbon since beating Ireland in a World Cup qualifier last October.
“It’s a special feeling because it was there where my beautiful history started,” Ronaldo said. “I’m very proud about that, to play for the national team after so many years, playing where I practically was opened to the world … It was a beautiful moment.
“It is always a pleasure to play for the national team, to wear the colours of Portugal. After so many years, it is [still always] like the first time. I will step on to the pitch with passion, emotion. I hope we can get off on the right foot. Because it’s at Sporting, it does feel a bit more special.
“It would be the cherry on the top of the cake to score my 1,000th goal with the national team. It would be the culmination of a beautiful story.”
