Ronaldo vows to carry on playing for Portugal and targets 1,000-goal landmark

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at his critics and vowed to carry on playing for Portugal as he nears 1,000 career goals.

Ronaldo's future in international football was in doubt following the World Cup, but the 41-year-old is playing on after Jorge Jesus replaced Roberto Martinez as manager. Ronaldo has 146 goals in 233 appearances for his country and is approaching a personal landmark.

The Al-Nassr striker sits on 979 career goals for club and country ahead of Portugal beginning their Nations League campaign against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday night. While he has denied that his decision to continue playing for Portugal was driven by his own goal tally, Ronaldo did admit he'd like to reach four figures while on international duty.

Portugal were dumped out of the World Cup by bitter rivals Spain in the last 16 and the 1-0 defeat did give Ronaldo pause for thought. Asked if he considered retiring, he replied: “Yes I did.

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"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 think 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.”

The veteran forward now wants to help bring through the next generation. “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," he joked.

“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.”

Ronaldo's place in the starting XI has become a hot topic of debate in Portugal. He insists that it doesn't bother him. "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," Ronaldo said.

“I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I do understand that some TV channels want to criticise me – they’ve tried to kill me, but only with a shotgun.

“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.”