Ronaldo Eyes 1,000 Goals as Portugal Open Nations League vs Wales — SkimNews
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- Cristiano Ronaldo said he seriously considered retiring from international duty after the World Cup but decided he can still help Portugal, with the 41-year-old needing 21 more goals to reach 1,000 in his career.
- Ronaldo was named in Jorge Jesus' 25-man squad for Portugal's Nations League campaign, which opens against Craig Bellamy's Wales at Estádio José Alvalade on Thursday, 24 September (19:45 BST).
- Ronaldo, already a two-time Nations League winner, said adding a third title was an aim alongside his personal milestone, calling this a "new age" for Portugal.
- Portugal boss Jorge Jesus described Ronaldo as a "symbol of Portugal and the national team" at his pre-match news conference in Lisbon.
- Ronaldo addressed years of media criticism with a pointed metaphor, saying "they've tried to kill me with a shotgun, but I can still move away from it" after over two decades at the top.
- Young talents Fabio Silva, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Francisco Conceicao all feature in the squad, with Ronaldo saying helping the new generation was also pivotal to his decision to continue.
- Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his last major tournament, though he joked he would "continue" setting an example "in 10 years" even after retiring.
Why it matters: Ronaldo's inclusion in Jesus' 25-man squad means Portugal's Nations League opener against Wales on 24 September doubles as his stated runway to 1,000 career goals — 21 away — and signals he remains central to a squad that also features emerging talents Fabio Silva, Conceicao and Neves, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner explicitly framing his continued selection as a duty to mentor them.
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