Cristiano Ronaldo contemplated retiring from international football following the World Cup before ultimately deciding to extend his tenure with Portugal.
Ronaldo, who will turn 42 in February, is set to earn his 234th cap against Wales in Lisbon this Thursday. Portugal Real Madrid star will be in the starting lineup for the <a Or winner insisted he will only step away when "I feel like I'm not doing anything here".
Age appeared to be a factor for Ronaldo during the summer’s World Cup, a tournament where many of the sport’s biggest stars excelled, fueling speculation that his international career had reached its conclusion.
When asked if he had considered walking away from the national team after the World Cup, Ronaldo replied: “Yes I did. Of course, I’m always thinking on 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, with our coach. I still believe that I’m able to help the national team to reach what they want, and will finish when I feel like I’m not doing anything here.”
“I can give to the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football.”
“This 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.”
Prior to the Wales match, the prominent Portuguese newspaper A Bola conducted a poll asking readers to select their preferred starting lineup, and Ronaldo was excluded from the XI.
Addressing the criticism, Ronaldo said: “I said it quite often at home with my friends. I’ve been playing football for so many years, I have been welcome almost everywhere, apart from a few exceptions.”
“I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I do understand that some TV channels want to criticise me.”
“They are dying for me not to come to the national team anymore, but I can still move away from it.”
“Anyway, I am used to it. For over 20 years I have been doing this, but my memories are with people who love me.”
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has reached a career total of 979 goals.
He dismissed the notion that he is obsessed with hitting the 1,000-goal milestone, though he acknowledged that achieving the feat while wearing a Portugal jersey would be special.
“Scoring my 1,000th goal for the national team would be the culmination of something – a beautiful story,” he said. “It wouldn’t be the end of it, but it would be a beautiful story.”
“I’ve already admitted that I want to get there, and I will get there. An obsession? No. The rest is about enjoying it, enjoying every day.”
“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 rest the next game, for me the most important thing is that I feel good.”
