Cristiano Ronaldo Has Not Retired From the Portugal National Team, Targets 1,000 Goals and the Nations League Trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo has set two major targets with the Portugal national team. As his professional career enters its final phase, the 41-year-old striker is still chasing the 1000-goal milestone while also aiming to lead the Selecao to lift the UEFA Nations League trophy once again.

"The goals are to hit 1000 goals and for the national team to try and win this Nations League," Ronaldo stated, as quoted by Dario AS on Wednesday.

Across his entire professional career, Ronaldo has now scored a total of 979 goals. This breaks down to 833 goals scored at club level, with a further 146 goals registered for Portugal.

This leaves Ronaldo just 21 goals short of the 1000 mark. Alongside pursuing one of the greatest individual achievements of his career, Ronaldo also holds collective ambitions with the Portuguese national side.

Reaching the 1000-goal landmark while playing for the national team holds special meaning for Ronaldo. He has envisioned this moment as one of the pinnacles of his long international career with Portugal.

"If I score my 1000th goal for the national team, that will be the peak of something, a beautiful story. It won't mean everything ends there, but it will be a wonderful story," Ronaldo said.

Even as the target draws ever closer, Ronaldo has refused to let the 1000 goal mark become an obsession. Instead he chooses to enjoy each match, playing without fixating on when the milestone will be reached.

"I've already admitted that I want to hit this target and I will reach it. Is it an obsession? No. The rest is just enjoying it, enjoying every single day," he added.

Questions had hung over Ronaldo's future with the national team following Portugal's exit in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Spain.

Following discussions with the Portuguese Football Federation and new head coach Jorge Jesus, Ronaldo confirmed he would continue his international career.

"They still count on me. I still believe I am able to help the national team," Ronaldo stated.

For Ronaldo, his place within the Portugal squad is not based solely on reputation or past experience. He wants to continue delivering direct on-pitch impact through goals and contributions to the team's victories.

"The most important thing is to be able to score goals on the pitch and help the team win matches," he continued.

At the same time, Ronaldo has made clear he will walk away from the national team the day he feels he can no longer make a positive contribution. He emphasised he will be the one to make that decision once he can no longer fulfil his role.

"When I feel I am not doing anything here, not contributing on the pitch, not scoring goals, creating a bad atmosphere, or if they don't want me here anymore - I will be the first one to step aside," he said.

Portugal have entered a new era under Jorge Jesus. The successor to Roberto Martinez has taken charge of the Selecao, and will oversee his first match in charge when Portugal face Wales on Friday 25 September.

Under Jesus' management, Ronaldo remains a central part of Portugal's plans. His personal 1000-goal target runs in parallel with the squad's collective ambition to reclaim the UEFA Nations League title.

Portugal previously won the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League back in 2019. Ronaldo and his teammates are now targeting a return to the winners' podium following the recent coaching change.

Looking further ahead, Ronaldo has not set a date for when he will retire from professional football. He is choosing to let things progress naturally without placing a hard deadline on his career.

"I learned one thing once I hit my late 30s: live in the present moment and don't worry about tomorrow. Is it possible? Yes. Is it very possible? Yes. But will it actually happen that way? I don't know," he concluded.