Cristiano Ronaldo has dismissed suggestions he should consider international retirement and says he wants to continue playing for Portugal.
The 39-year-old played a surprisingly large part of Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign, making five appearances in Germany although he failed to find the back of the net outside of penalty shoot-outs.
Coach Roberto Martinez names his squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Croatia and Scotland later this week and it seems inconceivable Ronaldo will be left out.
And the Al Nassr striker says he will walk away on his own terms.
He told Portuguese TV channel NOW: “When I leave the national team, I won’t give anyone a heads-up. It’ll be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also one I’ll have thought through carefully.
“But right now, what I want is to be able to help the national team in its upcoming commitments. We’ve got the Nations League ahead, and I’d really love to play.”
What comes after he hangs up his boots?
As for his plans after playing, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star says he is not considering a coaching career at this stage.
He added: “At the moment, I’m not thinking about becoming a coach, not for a first team or any team. It hasn’t even crossed my mind, I’ve never thought about it.
“I don’t see my future going in that direction. I see myself doing other things outside of football, but only God knows what the future holds.”
