Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that he has no immediate plans to retire from international football, though he admits that “it won’t be a difficult decision to make” when the time comes.
The 39-year-old holds the record for the most caps and goals in men’s international football, with 130 goals in 212 appearances.
Ronaldo is currently part of Portugal’s squad for the Nations League matches against Croatia and Scotland.
However, he enters these games following a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, where he failed to score, and many critics believed he hindered the team’s performance.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
“When the time comes, I’ll move on,” he said. “It won’t be a difficult decision to make.
“If I feel like I’m no longer contributing anything, I’ll be the first to leave.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner says he “never considered leaving the national team” despite the post-Euro 2024 criticism.
Ronaldo and team-mate Pepe, aged 41, were the two oldest players at Euro 2024.
After their Euros exit, former Portugal international Jose Fonte told BBC Sport: “They probably know it’s the end of the line in the national team.
“They’ve done so much for Portugal. Sometimes you just have to give your place to the young boys coming up.”
Pepe has retired, with Ronaldo saying the defender “left through the front door”. But the forward has opted to carry on.
“People’s expectations of the national team were too high,” added Ronaldo on their quarter-final exit to France on penalties.
Last month he said: “I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al-Nassr.
“When I leave the national team, I won’t tell anyone in advance and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a very well thought-out one.”