Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he considered stepping away from international football after the 2026 World Cup, but decided to continue after talks with Portugal’s president and head coach.

The 41-year-old confirmed the thought came to him when a reporter asked about it. “Yes I did,” he said.

“Of course, I’m always thinking about 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.”

Ronaldo said that the conversations convinced him that he can still contribute. “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,” he stated.

He said his role goes beyond scoring. “I think I can give the national team my support, not only through the goals, but also outside of football. There 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 Al Nassr forward said he will leave as soon as Portugal no longer want him. “Whenever they say they don’t want me in the national team, I will be the first one to go. When I think I am not adding anything to the team, or that I create an atmosphere, I will be the first to go. I will take my suitcase and leave.”

He added, “The Portuguese count on me. That’s why I’m still here. Just look at the numbers, I’m sure you can make some calculations, I’m still doing well. The day they don’t count on me, no problemo, I will leave. I will always be the No 1 fan of this federation.”

Ronaldo also responded to criticism in Portugal after the newspaper A Bola ran a poll in which readers left him out of their preferred starting XI.

“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,” he observed.

“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.”

Ronaldo has scored 979 career goals. He denied that he is obsessed with reaching 1,000, though he admitted he would love to get there in a Portugal shirt.

He also spoke about his influence on young players. “I know why young kids love Cristiano, because they see me as an example, and I will continue to do that even after I am retired in 10 years,” he said, laughing.

“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 next match is the Nations League game against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday. It will be his 234th cap for Portugal.