Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal: "The media wants to kill me, but I dodge the bullets"

"I understand that some media are trying to kill me, but only with a rifle. And even then, I dodge the bullet." At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo still feels useful to Portugal and in the press conference on the eve of the Nations League series he chooses a very apt metaphor to respond to the criticism he continues to receive.

However, the most interesting part is another: “It is very possible that this will be my last year. I will let you know when my last match is”. The two concepts are linked and explain well the moment he is going through at this stage of his career. On the one hand, he rejects the idea of ​​others deciding when he should no longer be in the squad. And for this reason he proudly highlights the choice made by the national team coach, Jorge Jesus, a decision that was certainly not made for the past or for gratitude, but for what he continues to give on the field with Al-Nassr.

On the other hand, he clearly acknowledges for the first time that the end of his journey with the national team is near. As long as he feels he can still give something to his country, he will be there: he is not asking to be guaranteed a place, but is claiming the right to decide for himself when it no longer makes sense to occupy it.

CR7 doesn't ask for guarantees: "I'm here for what I still do at my club"

CR7 is at the service of his country and Jorge Jesus, who has called him up for the four Nations League matches. He has no intention of causing any problems. He does not expect to be on the pitch. "I am available for any need: whether to play, to start from the bench or not to play at all. I know that the coach is counting on me and I am not here for my CV, but for what I still do at my club."

This is a key moment for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who highlights his physical condition and the qualities that age (41 years old) cannot erase. But… but he knows very well that the moment will come to retire and a little later he says the sentence that really weighs on his future: "It is very likely that this will be my last year, but we will announce it at the right time. Since I was 30, I have learned to live in the moment."

Is Cristiano Ronaldo thinking about retiring? Be careful saying this

It won't be others who will tell him when and why he should stop representing "his Portugal". "It's very possible that this will be my last year. I'll let you know when my last game is. When I feel like I'm not doing anything, I'll pack my bags."

CR7: "I know many people want me to leave"

The possibility of retiring, of hanging up his boots, has not only arisen from the questions of journalists, starting with the most controversial ones towards him. "I only think about the present. I know that many people want me to leave now, but my motivation comes from the people who want to continue seeing me". CR7 does not hide that he has thought about the possibility of stopping after the last World Cup, in 2026.

Not now, not yet. "I always think about my decisions. But I have chosen to continue. I have spoken to the president of the federation and the coach, who are counting on me."

The champion's record figures with the Portugal jersey

It has been 23 years since CR7's first match with the Portugal shirt: it was August 20, 2003, when the friendly against Kazakhstan marked the beginning of a long adventure that would bring him joy for the trophies won (1 European in 2016, 2 Nations Leagues in 2018-2019 and 2024-2025) and for the records that have adorned his collections.

In the 2026 World Cup, he became the first player to score in six different editions (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) and has also surpassed a legend of his country and international football like Eusebio: CR7 is now the top Portuguese scorer in the World Cup, with 11 goals. The three goals in the last edition (2 against Uzbekistan, 1 against Croatia) have allowed him to add another record to his personal list. In 233 appearances for the Portuguese national team, he has scored 146 goals: the first came on June 2, 2004 against Greece (European 2004).

Which will be the last? The difference, in his words, is precisely there: the end of his career will be a personal choice. “Since I was 30, I have learned to live in the moment.” And the moment, at least for now, has not yet come. Aiming for the quota of 1000 goals in total in his career (he is currently at the quota of 997), he can probably achieve it precisely with Portugal and by winning the Nations League.