Cristiano Ronaldo is not looking to end his Portugal career any time soon and instead hopes he can win the Nations League with his country.
The most-capped player in men’s international football still believes he has trophies to lift with Portugal and is ‘motivated’ to perform in upcoming Nations League fixtures, despite failing to score at Euro 2024.
Ronaldo, who made the move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr last year, has denied speculation that his international career is nearing an end.
“It never crossed my mind that my cycle [with Portugal] had come to an end,” he told reporters. “Quite the opposite: it gave me even more motivation to continue to be honest. The motivation is to come to the national team to win the Nations League.
“We’ve already won it once and we want to do it again. I might say the same thing over and over again, but I don’t think long term, it’s always short term. Until the end of my career, I will always have the mindset that I will be a starter.
“What I feel at the moment, and the coach’s [Roberto Martinez] words also demonstrate this, is that I continue to be an asset to the national team and I will be the first [to admit] if that isn’t the case.
“When I’m [no longer] an asset I will be the first to leave. But I will go with a clear conscience, as always, because I know who I am, what I can do, what I do and what I will continue to do.”
The 39-year-old has been named in Portugal’s squad for upcoming games against Croatia and Scotland, and will be hoping to make an impact after a summer of criticism at Euro 2024.
Despite still playing for both club and country, Ronaldo revealed the launch of his own YouTube channel in August, quickly gaining millions of subscribers.