Cristiano Ronaldo shuts down retirement talk ahead of Portugal-Wales at the Alvalade

Estadio José Alvalade is gearing up to host Portugal against Wales in the Nations League, and all eyes are on a name that has commanded attention for more than two decades: Cristiano Ronaldo. The Al Nassr forward is on track to start, something national team coach Jorge Jesus has already confirmed. It's a fitting twist that the match will be played at the home of Sporting, the club where he made his professional debut.

This is no ordinary game for Ronaldo. It will be his 234th appearance in a Portugal shirt, arriving right as he approaches his 42nd birthday in February. Some commentators have already started floating the idea of a farewell at the very stadium where it all began for him. Could this be the end? Ronaldo himself moved quickly to tamp down that narrative.

The truth is the summer wasn't easy. During the World Cup, while other stars of the game shone on the sport's biggest stage, age seemed to catch up with Ronaldo, fueling doubts about whether his run with the national team had come to a close. Asked directly whether he considered walking away from international football after that World Cup, he didn't deny it.

Yes, I did. Of course, I always reflect on my decisions, my future and also the present.Cristiano Ronaldo

The forward explained that reflection led to a conversation with Portuguese federation officials and the coaching staff. "I'm a reflective person. You have to think things through. That's why I'm here now; that means I'll continue," he said, making clear the decision to keep playing wasn't automatic or made on impulse.

I spoke with our president and with our coach. I still believe I can help the national team achieve its goals, and I'll finish when I feel I no longer have anything to contribute here.Cristiano Ronaldo

There's also an interesting wrinkle that entered the conversation: Portuguese newspaper A Bola ran a reader poll to pick the ideal starting eleven for the Wales match, and Ronaldo didn't make the cut. Far from brushing it aside, he brought it up himself, in his usual blunt style.

"I've talked about this often at home with my friends. I've been playing football for many years, and I've been well received almost everywhere, with a few exceptions," he said. And he went further, with that mix of irony and defiance that defines him: "I feel that Portuguese fans appreciate me, though I understand some TV channels want to criticize me; they've tried to kill me, but only with a shotgun." He added, keeping his sense of humor, that "they're dying" for him to leave the national team, though he made clear that if that decision comes, he'll be the one to make it.

Chasing the numbers, eyes on the long run

With 979 career goals, the round number of a thousand is now within sight. Ronaldo made clear he isn't obsessed with hitting that mark, though he admitted he'd love to reach it wearing the Portugal jersey. Asked about his legacy with younger generations, he was direct: "I know why young people admire Cristiano: because they see me as an example, and I'll keep being one. Even after I retire... in 10 years." He closed with a line that sums up his current mindset pretty well: whether he's playing minutes or getting rest, what matters most to him is feeling good about himself.