# Ronaldo targets 1000 goals despite retirement rumors

> Ronaldo says he'll score his 1000th goal for Portugal before retiring, not after.
- Title: Ronaldo targets 1000 goals despite retirement rumors
- Summary: Ronaldo says he'll score his 1000th goal for Portugal before retiring, not after. Ronaldo aims to reach 1000 international goals before retiring, not after…
- Keywords: cristiano ronaldo, portugal, nations league, al nassr, jorge jesus, ballon d'or, wales, jose alvalade stadium, fifa, world cup, 1000 goals, international football
- Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/football/news/12040/13591141/cristiano-ronaldo-portugal-legend-considered-international-retirement-after-2026-world-cup-but-is-still-targeting-1000-goals
- Published: 2026-09-23T18:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cristiano ronaldo, portugal, nations league, al nassr, jorge jesus, ballon d'or, wales, jose alvalade stadium, fifa, world cup, 1000 goals, international football
## Ronaldo's retirement thoughts
Ronaldo considered retiring after the 2026 World Cup but will continue playing for Portugal.

> Yes I did. Of course, I'm always thinking on my decisions, my future, the present also.
## 234th cap coming up
Ronaldo will play his 234th international match against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday.
## 1000 goals target
Ronaldo aims to score his 1000th goal for Portugal before retiring, not after the World Cup.

> Scoring my 1000th goal for the national team would be the culmination of something - a beautiful story.
## Current goal tally
Ronaldo has scored 979 goals for club and country in his career.
## Coach confirms role
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed Ronaldo will start in the Nations League match against Wales.
## Fan reactions
Ronaldo said he's been welcomed almost everywhere except a few exceptions in his career.

> I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I do understand that some TV channels want to criticise me.
## Bellamy's praise
Craig Bellamy called Ronaldo one of the greatest players of all generations.

> His name will go down in history for hundreds and hundreds of years.
## Ronaldo's mindset
Ronaldo will retire when he feels he's not contributing to Portugal, not after the World Cup.

> I will finish when I feel like I'm not doing anything here.
## Key takeaway

Ronaldo aims to reach 1000 international goals before retiring, not after the 2026 World Cup.