Ronaldo to Continue for Portugal While Team Relies on Him

Cristiano Ronaldo said he will continue playing for Portugal after considering retirement following the 2026 World Cup, explaining that conversations with the country’s football leadership and his belief he can still contribute persuaded him to stay. The 41-year-old said he would leave if Portugal no longer relied on him or he felt he was no longer helping the team, but did not set a timetable for ending his international career. Speaking at a press conference before Portugal’s Nations League match against Wales, Ronaldo said he had discussed his future with the federation president and the coach. He said they continued to count on him and that he believed he could help the national team achieve its aims. His remarks were reported from the press conference; the conversations and the team’s reliance on him were not independently established in the material available. Ronaldo said his contribution could extend beyond scoring, including supporting a younger generation of players. He also stressed that on-field performance remained central, saying he wanted to score goals and help Portugal win matches.