OEIRAS: Cristiano Ronaldo appeared before the media, admitting he was nervous before doing what he has done for more than two decades: taking the spotlight, brushing off criticism and insisting that the end of his career is not yet in sight.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain, speaking at the main stage of the Portugal Football Summit yesterday, ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Wales early tomorrow morning, said he still has a lot to contribute to his country as Jorge Jesus makes his first appearance as national team manager.
Jesus replaced Roberto Martinez after Portugal’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment when they were eliminated in the last 16 by eventual champions Spain.
Ronaldo now has 979 career goals – 833 for club and 146 for Portugal – and needs just 21 more to reach the 1,000 mark he has publicly targeted.
When asked whether winning the Nations League or reaching 1,000 goals was more important, he smiled and chose both.
“One goal is to achieve both – score 1,000 goals and the national team tries to win the Nations League.
“It’s a new era with the manager Jorge Jesus, who we all know; I just hope everything goes well for him,” Ronaldo said at the Portugal Football Summit at the Portuguese Football Association (FAP) headquarters outside Lisbon.
Ronaldo said scoring his 1000th goal for Portugal would be the “sweet highlight” of his career.
“Scoring your 1,000th goal for the national team would be the culmination of something – a beautiful story.
“It’s not the end, but it will be a beautiful story,” he said.
However, Ronaldo insisted he wasn’t thinking too much about chasing that number.
“I have already admitted that I want to achieve it and I will achieve it.
“An obsession? No… The rest is enjoying, enjoying every day,” he added.
Ronaldo admitted he had considered his future with the national team after Portugal’s elimination from the World Cup, but discussions with FAP and Jesus convinced him to continue playing at international level.
When asked about retirement, Ronaldo said: “I learned something since my late 30s, live for the moment and don’t think about tomorrow.
“Is it possible? Yes. Very likely? Yes. But will it happen? No, I don’t know.”