Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Cristiano Ronaldo has said he will immediately leave the Portugal national team if the country’s football authorities or new head coach Jorge Jesus no longer believe he can contribute to the side.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain made the comments on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Wales in Lisbon. Ronaldo said he had considered ending his international career after the 2026 FIFA World Cup but decided to continue after discussions with Portugal Football Federation president Pedro Proença and Jesus.
Ronaldo’s comments come as Portugal begins a new era under Jesus, who was appointed following Roberto Martínez’s departure after the country’s World Cup exit.
Ronaldo confirms he considered international retirement
Ronaldo acknowledged that he had thought about leaving international football following Portugal’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal were knocked out in the last 16 by Spain, ending Ronaldo’s sixth and final World Cup appearance. FIFA reported in July that Ronaldo had confirmed he would not play at another World Cup.
However, the forward has now confirmed that his international career will continue for the time being.
He said discussions with Proença and Jesus helped reinforce his decision to remain available for Portugal, adding that he still believes he can contribute both on and off the pitch.
“I had a conversation with our president, with our coach. I still believe that I’m able to help the national team,” Ronaldo said, according to the Irish Examiner.
‘The day they don’t count on me, I will leave’
Ronaldo made clear that he does not intend to remain with Portugal simply because of his reputation or past achievements.
He said he would be the first to leave if the federation or coaching staff no longer wanted him involved.
“When they don’t want me in the national team, I will be the first one to go,” Ronaldo said, according to reports from his press conference.
He also said he would leave if he personally felt he was no longer contributing to the team.
Ronaldo’s position places the decision about his international future around his perceived contribution and the willingness of Portugal’s football leadership to continue selecting him.
Ronaldo remains part of Portugal’s new era
Despite retirement speculation, Ronaldo was included in Jesus’ first Portugal squad for the upcoming Nations League matches.
Reuters reported on September 18 that Ronaldo was among the 25 players selected for the opening Nations League fixtures under the new coach.
Jesus has also indicated that Ronaldo will not receive automatic selection based solely on his reputation.
The new coach said player selection would depend on current performance, meaning Ronaldo will be assessed alongside the rest of the squad.
That approach marks the beginning of a new phase for Portugal, with Jesus seeking to combine experienced players with a younger generation.
Ronaldo still chasing 1,000 career goals
Another factor in Ronaldo’s decision to continue playing is his pursuit of 1,000 career goals.
Reports on Wednesday put him 21 goals short of the landmark across club and international football.
Ronaldo has said the milestone is an important target but that he does not want to become obsessed with reaching it.
He also remains Portugal’s record international appearance holder and leading scorer. The Irish Examiner reported that he has 233 caps for Portugal, while other reports place his international goals tally at 146.
Portugal begins Nations League defence against Wales
Ronaldo is expected to be involved as Portugal begins its 2026-27 UEFA Nations League campaign against Wales on Thursday, September 24, in Lisbon.
Portugal enters the competition as the defending champion after winning the 2025 edition.
The match will also be significant for Jesus, who is taking charge of Portugal for the first time in a competitive international fixture.
Ronaldo is expected to start the match, with Jesus confirming that the veteran forward would be in the starting lineup for his first game as Portugal coach.
The fixture will be played at the José Alvalade Stadium, the Sporting Lisbon ground where Ronaldo began his professional career.
A different role for Portugal’s veteran captain
While Ronaldo remains a central figure in the national team, his comments indicate an awareness that Portugal is moving towards a new generation of players.
He said his contribution could extend beyond scoring goals, pointing to his experience as captain and his familiarity with the national-team environment.
Jesus has similarly described Ronaldo as a symbol of Portugal while stressing that playing opportunities will depend on the manager’s decisions rather than past achievements.
The situation therefore leaves Ronaldo continuing with Portugal while acknowledging that his place in the squad is ultimately dependent on his usefulness to the team.
What happens next
Ronaldo will remain with Portugal for the Nations League campaign, beginning with Thursday’s meeting with Wales.
Portugal’s upcoming schedule also includes Nations League matches against Norway and Denmark, with another meeting against Norway scheduled for October 4.
For now, Ronaldo has rejected the idea of an immediate international retirement. Instead, he has placed his future in the hands of his own performances and the continued confidence of Portugal’s football leadership.
His position is straightforward: as long as Portugal believes he can contribute, he intends to continue wearing the national-team shirt.
Sources
- Reuters
- Irish Examiner
- The Guardian
- FIFA
- Rádio Renascença
- Al Jazeera
