Portugal begin a new Nations League campaign against Wales on Thursday, but Cristiano Ronaldo remains at the centre of the picture. The 41-year-old captain has dismissed calls for him to leave international football, insisting that playing for his country is still a source of pride as he pursues 1,000 career goals.
Ronaldo will start Portugal’s opening match of the 2026-27 Nations League under new coach Jorge Jesus, despite growing debate over whether the national team should move on from its long-serving star. Portugal were knocked out by Spain in the World Cup round of 16, while Argentina’s Lionel Messi, a beaten finalist in that tournament, is set to make his international farewell in a gala match against Benin in Buenos Aires on 6 October.
Ronaldo, however, has no immediate retirement plans. “Being called up for the national team is still a pride and a passion for me,” he said before the Wales game. “Nothing else matters to me. If the coach counts on me, and I know he does, it is because he wants me to help the team with my performances.”
Ronaldo answers retirement pressure
The Portugal forward has faced sharper criticism in recent months, including from supporters who believe his continued presence has become a problem for the team. Some social-media responses have argued that his form no longer justifies a place in the squad, while others have compared his increasingly defiant public image to Homelander, the egotistical character from The Boys.
Ronaldo answered the criticism with a joke aimed at the media, saying some outlets were trying to “kill” him, though only “with a shotgun” — and that he would still avoid the bullet.
He added that he understood many people wanted him to go now, but said his motivation came from those who still wanted to watch him play.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has indicated that he will step aside only when he believes he is no longer helping Portugal. For now, he sees no reason to leave.
Jorge Jesus keeps faith in his captain
Jesus has made his position clear. The 72-year-old took charge during the summer after previously working with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr last season, and has retained him as Portugal captain after succeeding Roberto Martinez.
When he was appointed in early July, Jesus said Ronaldo would be selected whenever he was playing and available, within conditions he considered best for the national side. Ahead of the Wales match, he confirmed that his captain would be in the starting line-up.
“He will play on Thursday,” Jesus said. “I hope he scores one or two goals early, then I will take him off.”
Ronaldo has returned that confidence, describing Jesus as the ideal appointment for Portugal. Their relationship at Al-Nassr has carried directly into the international set-up, where the veteran forward remains the first name in the coach’s plans rather than a ceremonial figure.
The 1,000-goal target
There is also a personal landmark driving Ronaldo forward. He has scored 979 career goals and needs 21 more to reach the 1,000 mark, a target he has placed alongside winning the Nations League.
“My objective is to get to 1,000 goals and win the Nations League,” Ronaldo said.
That chase will inevitably intensify scrutiny of Portugal’s attacking balance, with critics questioning whether the pursuit of individual numbers could affect the team. Jesus, though, has chosen certainty for the opening night: Ronaldo will lead the line against Wales, with retirement still a distant thought for a player determined to decide his own ending.
