Cristiano Ronaldo commits to Portugal despite speculation over international retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo says he has no intention of retiring from international football and remains determined to continue playing for Portugal.

The Portugal captain addressed his future after leaving the national team’s training camp in protest at comments made by manager Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo departed before Portugal’s UEFA Nations League group-stage match against Denmark, prompting widespread reports that he was considering ending his international career.

However, speaking to Portuguese newspapers on Tuesday, the 41-year-old said he still wanted to represent his country.

“I have heard a lot about farewell matches, about needing a farewell worthy of me, and about the federation wanting to give me that opportunity,” Ronaldo told A Bola.

“I have learned in life, often when I was hungry and had nothing to eat, that nobody gives anybody anything. I can promise all my supporters, especially the Portuguese people, that we will have one or more farewell matches. There will be time for that.”

Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr, said his immediate focus when wearing Portugal’s shirt remained competition rather than a planned departure.

“But when I think about the national team, what really comes to mind is competing,” he added. “That is what I thought about on the day I received the news of my father’s death. I was with the national team and decided to stay until the end of the following day’s match.

“I did for my country something I would not have done for any club.”

Ronaldo also indicated that he would remain available for selection once he had served any punishment imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation for leaving the camp.

“Therefore, if I am physically fit, playing for my team and hopefully scoring goals, and after serving the suspension that will be imposed on me, I will be available, as I have always been until now, to compete and win with our national team,” he said.

His comments directly challenged the speculation surrounding his international future following his departure from the Portugal camp. Ronaldo made clear that, provided he remains fit and active for his club, his priority is still to compete and win with the national side.

He also accepted that a farewell match, or more than one, could eventually take place, but stressed that such a moment was not his current concern. For now, Ronaldo’s stated intention is to continue representing Portugal rather than bring his international career to an immediate close.