Cristiano Ronaldo wants Portugal shirt for 1,000th career goal

Cristiano Ronaldo says he hopes to score the 1,000th goal of his career for Portugal, describing it as the “perfect finale” to an extraordinary achievement.

The Al Nassr forward, who has scored 979 goals for his clubs and country, was asked whether he would prefer to reach the landmark while playing for his Saudi Arabian club or the Portugal national team.

Ronaldo laughed and replied: “You know the answer.”

When the journalist suggested Portugal, he responded: “Of course, of course. For me, it would be, as the coach Jesus said a few days ago, the perfect finale.”

He added: “Scoring the 1,000th goal with the national team would be the culmination of something great. It would be a beautiful story. It would not be the definitive end, but it would be a beautiful story… God willing, God willing.”

Ronaldo was speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Wales on Thursday. He said he wanted both to win the competition and to reach 1,000 career goals.

Portugal’s fixtures also include matches against Norway home and away and Denmark. The games are scheduled for 24 and 27 September and 1 and 4 October.