Ronaldo motivated by 1,000 goals milestone and leading new Portugal generation

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Cristiano Ronaldo believes he can still help Portugal to further success ahead of their Nations League campaign as he closes in on reaching 1,000 career goals. 

Ronaldo had already confirmed that this summer’s World Cup would be his last, with Portugal losing to eventual champions Spain in the last 16 of the tournament. 

The 41-year-old said he would not make any “rash decisions” over his immediate international future, and he was selected in Jorge Jesus’ first Portugal squad. 

He reunites with Jesus, who he won his first Saudi Pro League title with at Al-Nassr in 2025-26, and he has a fine record under the new Portugal boss. 

Ronaldo scored 29 goals in 33 appearances under Jesus for Al-Nassr in the 2025-26 campaign, averaging a goal every 99 minutes.

Throughout his career, the only managers under whom Ronaldo has a better goals-per-game average in league play are Carlo Ancelotti (1.22) and Jose Mourinho (1.13) at Real Madrid, and Luis Castro and Rudi Garcia at Al-Nassr (both 1.1).

He is currently on 979 career goals, 833 of which have come for clubs and 146 for Portugal, but when asked if he had thought about retiring from international duty after the World Cup, Ronaldo responded: “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.

“I had a conversation with our president, with our coach. I still believe that I’m able to help the national team to achieve what they want.

“I think I can give the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football.”

UEFA Nations League mode: ON  pic.twitter.com/XLfg85zBpt

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 22, 2026

Portugal are the reigning Nations League holders, beating Spain on penalties in 2024-25, with Ronaldo also winning the title in 2018-19. 

Ronaldo said that adding a third title was also an aim alongside his personal ambitions, adding: “Both aims are important. 

“One thousand goals, yes, and the national team. Winning the Nations League, the competition starts tomorrow [Thursday], it’s a new age.”

Portugal welcome Wales to the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the first match of their Europa League campaign and the beginning of a new era under Jesus. 

It will also be the first meeting between the two nations since the semi-finals of the 2016 European Championship, with the eventual champions Portugal winning 2-0.

Following their clash with Wales, Portugal will face Norway, away first and then at home, either side of a trip to Denmark. 

Jesus has also included the likes of Fabio Silva, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Francisco Conceicao in his 25-man squad, and Ronaldo revealed the decision behind continuing for Portugal was to help guide the nation’s up-and-coming talents. 

“This is a new young generation. But for me, the basic point is to be on the pitch to score the goals and to help the team win games,” Ronaldo said. 

“For me, the most important thing, I know what I am. I know what I do to be here, to have the success that I have.

“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 for the next game. For me, the most important thing is that I feel good.”

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